Anacetrapib reduces progression of atherosclerosis, mainly by reducing non-HDL-cholesterol, improves lesion stability and adds to the beneficial effects of atorvastatin

Background The residual risk that remains after statin treatment supports the addition of other LDL-C-lowering agents and has stimulated the search for secondary treatment targets. Epidemiological studies propose HDL-C as a possible candidate. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl esters from atheroprotective HDL to...

Enhanced expression and activation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors distinguish aneurysmal from atherosclerotic aorta: IL-6- and IL-8-dominated inflammatory responses prevail in the human aneurysm

Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of an AAA (abdominal aortic aneurysm); however, the nature of the inflammatory factors and cellular response(s) involved in AAA growth is controversial. In the present study, we set out to determine the aortic levels of inflammatory cytokines in relation to downstream inflammatory transcription...

Apolipoprotein C-I is crucially involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced atherosclerosis development in apolipoprotein E-knockout mice

BACKGROUND - Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is released from Gram-negative bacteria on multiplication or lysis, aggravates atherosclerosis in humans and rodents by inducing inflammation via toll-like receptors. Because apolipoprotein C-I (apoCI) enhances the LPS-induced inflammatory response in macrophages in vitro and in mice, we investigated...

Fenofibrate reduces atherogenesis in ApoE*3Leiden mice: Evidence for multiple antiatherogenic effects besides lowering plasma cholesterol

OBJECTIVE - To demonstrate, quantify, and mechanistically dissect antiatherosclerotic effects of fenofibrate besides lowering plasma cholesterol per se. METHODS AND RESULTS - ApoE*3Leiden transgenic mice received either a high-cholesterol diet (HC) or HC containing fenofibrate (HC+FF) resulting in 52% plasma cholesterol-lowering. In a separate...

Anti-atherosclerotic effect of amlodipine, alone and in combination with atorvastatin, in APOE*3-Leiden/hCRP transgenic mice

We investigated the pleiotropic effects of a calcium antagonist (amlodipine) on early atherosclerosis development in the presence and absence of an HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitor (atorvastatin) in apolipoprotein E*3-Leiden/human C-reactive protein (E3L/CRP) transgenic mice. Male E3L/CRP transgenic mice were fed a cholesterol-containing diet either...

Quantitative assessment of aortic atherosclerosis in APOE*3 leiden transgenic mice and its relationship to serum cholesterol exposure

Transgenic mice overexpressing the human dysfunctional apolipoprotein E variant, APOE*3 Leiden, develop hyperlipidemia and are highly susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of diet composition and feeding period on serum cholesterol exposure and the amount of atherosclerosis in the aortic...