Vascular effects of oxysterols and oxyphytosterols in apoE −/− mice. Issue 1 (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weingärtner, Oliver; Husche, Constanze; Schött, Hans F.; Speer, Timo; Böhm, Michael; Miller, Charlotte M.; McCarthy, Florence; Plat, Jogchum; Lütjohann, Dieter; Laufs, Ulrich
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 240:Issue 1(2015)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.02.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

<abstract xml:lang="en" abstract-type="author" id="abs0010"> <title id="sectitle0010">Abstract</title> <sec> <title id="sectitle0015">Objectives</title> <p id="abspara0010">The aim of our study was to investigate vascular effects of oxysterols and oxyphytosterols on reactive oxygen species (ROS), endothelial progenitor cells, endothelial function and atherogenesis.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0020">Methods</title> <p id="abspara0015">Male apoE−/−mice were treated with cholesterol, sitosterol, 7-ß–OH–cholesterol, 7-ß–OH–sitosterol, or cyclodextrin by daily intraperitoneal application. The respective concentrations in the plasma and in the arterial wall were determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization or mass spectrometry. ROS production was assessed by electron-spin resonance spectroscopy in the aorta, endothelial function of aortic rings and atherosclerosis in the aortic sinus was quantitated after 4 weeks.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0025">Results</title> <p id="abspara0020">Compared to vehicle, there was no difference in plasma cholesterol levels and arterial wall concentrations after i.p. application of cholesterol. 7-ß–OH–cholesterol concentrations were increased in the plasma (33.7 ± 31.5 vs. 574.57.2 ± 244.92 ng/ml) but not in the arterial wall (60.1 ± 60.1 vs. 59.3 ± 18.2 ng/mg). Sitosterol (3.39 ± 0.96 vs. 8.16 ± 4.11 mg/dL; 0.08 ± 0.04 vs. 0.16 ± 0.07 μg/mg, respectively) and 7-ß–OH–sitosterol concentrations (405.1 ± 151.8 vs. 7497 ± 3223 ng/ml; 0.24 ± 0.13 vs. 16.82 ± 11.58 ng/mg, respectively) increased in the plasma and in the aorta. The i.p-application of the non-oxidized cholesterol or sitosterol did not induce an increase of plasma oxysterols or oxyphytosterols concentrations. Oxidative stress in the aorta was increased in 7-ß–OH–sitosterol treated mice, but not in mice treated with cholesterol, sitosterol, or 7-ß–OH–cholesterol. Moreover, cholesterol, sitosterol, 7-ß–OH–cholesterol, and 7-ß–OH–sitosterol did not affect endothelial-dependent vasodilation, or early atherosclerosis.</p> </sec> <sec> <title id="sectitle0030">Conclusion</title> <p id="abspara0025">Increased oxyphytosterol concentrations in plasma and arterial wall were associated with increased ROS production in aortic tissue, but did not affect endothelial progenitor cells, endothelial function, or early atherosclerosis.</p> </sec> </abstract>