Stabilization of advanced atherosclerosis in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice by aspirin

Atherosclerosis. 2006 Jan;184(1):8-14. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2004.10.047. Epub 2005 Apr 25.

Abstract

COX-1-dependent eicosanoid formation accelerates atherogenesis, and low-dose aspirin reduces early atherosclerosis. However, the role of aspirin in modulating progression of vascular atherosclerotic lesions once established is less investigated. We wished to determine the effect of low-dose aspirin on vascular inflammation, plaque composition, and progression of established atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice (LDLR(-/-)) were fed a high-fat diet for 3 months. At this time, one group of mice underwent baseline analysis. Two additional groups, while continuing the high-fat diet, were randomized to receive placebo or aspirin for additional 3 months. At the end of the study, LDLR(-/-) mice that had received aspirin had suppressed biosynthesis of thromboxane B2, the major products of COX-1 activity, reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels compared with controls. Compared with baseline, the placebo group had significant progression of atherosclerosis. In contrast, aspirin treated mice showed a significant reduction in progression of atherosclerosis, and a significant decrease in foam cell content. These results suggest that in murine atherosclerosis, low-dose aspirin retards progression of established and advanced vascular atherosclerotic lesions by suppressing the formation of bioactive lipids and vascular inflammation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta, Thoracic / drug effects
  • Aorta, Thoracic / pathology
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use*
  • Atherosclerosis / blood
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Atherosclerosis / prevention & control*
  • Cyclooxygenase 1 / blood
  • Cyclooxygenase 1 / drug effects
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Receptors, LDL / blood
  • Receptors, LDL / deficiency*
  • Thromboxane B2 / blood
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Thromboxane B2
  • Cyclooxygenase 1
  • Aspirin