Haemin-enhanced expression of haem oxygenase-1 stabilizes erythrocyte-induced vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Previous studies demonstrated that intraplaque haemorrhage increased the contents of cholesterol and oxidants in atherosclerotic plaques. The present study was aimed to test the hypothesis that enhanced expression of haem oxygenase-1 (HO-1) may stabilize vulnerable plaques.

Experimental approach

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed to identify three similar abdominal aortic plaques in each of 58 fat-fed New Zealand rabbits after aortic balloon injury. With the guidance of IVUS, 50 microL autologous erythrocytes (RBC) or normal saline (NS) were injected from adventitia into two of the pre-selected plaques, respectively, whereas the third plaque served as a blank control. All rabbits were randomly divided into two groups, receiving intraperitone

SUBMITTER: Lin HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2938819 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature