A novel rat model of atherosclerosis induced by inflammation and the therapeutic effect of Rb1 / 中国实验动物学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish a novel atherosclerosis model by inflammation in rats and investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Rb1.Methods Healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, namely the control group, model group (using zymosan A to induce inflammation) and Rb1-treated group (12 rats in each group).The rats were administered liquid paraffin (i.p.), zymosan A (20 mg/kg, i.p., once every 4 days) or zymosan A and Rb1 (40 mg/kg, i.p., once daily), respectively.All animals were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks.At scheduled time points, pathological changes in the aorta were observed using Sudan IV staining and transmission electron microscopy.White blood cell count was used to assess the inflammation.The expression of NFκB, TNFα, IL6 was evaluated by real time PCR, im-munohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively.Results Typical atherosclerotic changes such as fatty streaks, plaque, foam cells in the rats following zymosan A induction were alleviated by Rb1 treatment.In the Rb1-treated group, there was a markedly decreased expression of NFκB, TNFα, and IL6.Conclusion The model of atherosclerosis can be established by inflammation based on high-fat diet in rats.Rb1 inhibits atherosclerosis through anti-inflammatory effect.