Neurotensin accelerates atherosclerosis and increases circulating levels of short-chain and saturated triglycerides.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are significant risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide, but the underlying pathophysiological links are poorly understood. Neurotensin (NT), a 13-amino-acid hormone peptide, facilitates intestinal fat absorption and contributes to obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet. Elevated levels of pro-NT (a stable NT precursor produced in equimolar amounts relative to NT) are associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and CVD in humans. Whether NT is a causative factor in CVD is unknown.

Methods

Nt^+/+ and Nt^-/- mice were either injected with adeno-associated virus encoding PCSK9 mutants or crossed with Ldlr^-/- mice and fed a Western diet. Atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed

SUBMITTER: Li J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11088984 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature