Endothelial dysfunction in small arteries and early signs  of atherosclerosis in ApoE knockout rats.

ABSTRACT: Endothelial dysfunction is recognized as a major contributor to atherosclerosis and has been suggested to be evident far before plaque formation. Endothelial dysfunction in small resistance arteries has been suggested to initiate long before changes in conduit arteries. In this study, we address early changes in endothelial function of atherosclerosis prone rats. Male ApoE knockout (KO) rats (11- to 13-weeks-old) were subjected to either a Western or standard diet. The diet intervention continued for a period of 20-24 weeks. Endothelial function of pulmonary and mesenteric arteries was examined in vitro using an isometric myograph. We found that Western diet decreased the contribution of cyclooxygenase (COX) to control the vascular tone of both pulmonary and mesenteric arteries. These chan

SUBMITTER: Berenji Ardestani S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7499202 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature