STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF BENAPRIL ON ATHEROGENESIS, CIRCULATING ENDOTHELIAL CELLS AND FACTOR vWF / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

To examine the effect of benapril on atherogenesis, circulating endothelial cells (CEC), and factor vWF. Twenty four healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. In group C (control group) the rabbits were fed normal rabbit diet for ten weeks, in group AS 1% cholesterol diet was fed, and in group B both 1% cholesterol diet and benapril 5mg/day were fed. Fasting blood samples were collected for the determination of serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL c), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL c), and triglyceride (TG) on day 0, 5 and 10 weeks after feeding. The levels of plasma CEC were measured by morphometrical count and the levels of plasma vWF were determined by ELISA. After the animals were sacrificed, aortas were obtained, and they were stained with oil red O. The tissue was sectioned for histological examination. Planimetry was performed with a computer system. Endothelial cells were identified by the presence of factor VIII related antigen, which was the specific marker for endothelial cells. The results showed that the levels of serum Tc, TG, and LDL c were increased progressively in group B and group AS, but the levels of vWF in group AS were significantly higher than that in group B at the 5 th and 10 th weeks respectively ( P