ABCG1 and HDL protect against endothelial dysfunction in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet.

ABSTRACT: Plasma HDL levels are inversely related to the incidence of atherosclerotic disease. Some of the atheroprotective effects of HDL are likely mediated via preservation of EC function. Whether the beneficial effects of HDL on ECs depend on its involvement in cholesterol efflux via the ATP-binding cassette transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1, which promote efflux of cholesterol and oxysterols from macrophages, has not been investigated. To address this, we assessed endothelial function in Abca1(-/-), Abcg1(-/-), and Abca1(-/-)Abcg1(-/-) mice fed either a high-cholesterol diet (HCD) or a Western diet (WTD). Non-atherosclerotic arteries from WTD-fed Abcg1(-/-) and Abca1(-/-)Abcg1(-/-) mice exhibited a marked decrease in endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, while Abca1(-/-) mice had a milder defect. In

SUBMITTER: Terasaka N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2567835 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature