Niacin increases HDL by reducing hepatic expression and plasma levels of cholesteryl ester transfer protein in APOE*3Leiden.CETP mice

Objective - Niacin potently decreases plasma triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. In addition, niacin is the most potent HDL-cholesterol- increasing drug used in the clinic. In the present study, we aimed at elucidation of the mechanism underlying its HDL-raising effect. Methods and Results - InAPOE*3Leiden transgenic mice expressing the human...

Torcetrapib does not reduce atherosclerosis beyond atorvastatin and induces more proinflammatory lesions than atorvastatin

BACKGROUND - Although cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition is regarded as a promising strategy to reduce atherosclerosis by increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the CETP inhibitor torcetrapib given in addition to atorvastatin had no effect on atherosclerosis and even increased cardiovascular death in the recent...

P-glycoprotein-deficient mice have proximal tubule dysfunction but are protected against ischemic renal injury

The multidrug resistance gene 1 product, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), is expressed in several excretory organs, including the apical membrane of proximal tubules. After inducing acute renal failure, P-gp expression is upregulated and this might be a protective function by pumping out toxicants and harmful products of oxidative stress. We characterized...

Olmesartan and pravastatin additively reduce development of atherosclerosis in APOE*3Leiden transgenic mice

AIM: This study was designed to investigate the effect of the angiotensin II receptor blocker olmesartan alone, or in combination with standard treatment with a statin, pravastatin, on atherosclerosis development in APOE*3Leiden transgenic mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four groups of 15 mice received an atherogenic diet alone (plasma cholesterol 17...

Amlodipine and atorvastatin in atherosclerosis: A review of the potential of combination therapy

Hypertension and hyperlipidaemia are major risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have been used for decades and have established antihypertensive effects. Statins have been extensively used because of their potent lipid lowering properties. Amongst other factors, inflammation and oxidation are...