Genetic reduction of lipoic acid synthase expression modestly increases atherosclerosis in male, but not in female, apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To evaluate the effects of a genetic reduction of Lias gene expression on atherosclerosis development.

Methods and results

Heterozygous knockout mice for the lipoid acid synthase gene (Lias(+/-)) were crossed with apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice, and the plaque size in aortic sinuses of Lias(+/-)ApoE(-/-)mice was evaluated at 6 months of age. Lesions at the aortic sinus in Lias(+/-)ApoE(-/-) males were significantly larger (1.5x) than those in Lias(+/+) ApoE(-/-) littermate males. The lesion size was inversely correlated with an increased erythrocyte reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSH) ratio, a systemic index of body redox balance. Lias(+/-)ApoE(-/-)males also had significantly increased plasma cholesterol and reduced pyruvate dehydroge

SUBMITTER: Yi X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2914155 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature