Apamin, a peptide component of bee venom (BV), has anti-inflammatory properties. However, the molecular mechanisms by which apamin prevents atherosclerosis are not fully understood. We examined the effect of apamin on atherosclerotic mice. Atherosclerotic mice received intraperitoneal (ip) injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 2 mg/kg) to induce atherosclerotic change and were fed an atherogen...

T his report is a concise review of current knowledge of the structure and function of the intima of the aorta and the major distributing arteries. The main purpose of the review is to delineate normal arterial intima from atherosclerotic lesions and, in particular, to distinguish physiological adaptations from atherosclerotic increases in intimal thickness. To characterize normal intima, inclu...

Vascular cell procoagulant activity may be important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In previous studies, we described the ability of the atherogenic metabolite homocysteine to activate endothelial cell Factor V, a key coagulation cofactor for thrombin generation. The present study was designed to investigate Factor V activity and Factor Xa-catalyzed prothrombin activation by control an...

Diet-induced atherosclerosis in primates impairs vasodilator responses and greatly potentiates vasoconstrictor responses to serotonin. Serotonin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of vasospasm. In diet-induced regression of atherosclerosis, intimal lesions are reduced, but maximal vasodilator responses do not improve, perhaps because of vascular fibrosis. Our goal was to determine w...

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate whether stent-based delivery of an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) can selectively clear macrophages in rabbit atherosclerotic plaques. BACKGROUND Current pharmacologic approaches to stabilize atherosclerotic plaques have only partially reduced the incidence of acute coronary syndromes and sudden death. Macrophages play...

OBJECTIVE Atherosclerotic plaques with large lipid cores and inflammation contain regions of hypoxia. We examined the uptake of 2-(2-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl) acetamide ([18F]EF5), a specific marker of hypoxia labeled for positron emission tomography, in mouse atherosclerotic plaques. METHODS AND RESULTS Atherosclerotic mice of 2 different genetic backgrounds (lo...

BACKGROUND A role for myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a mediator of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes has recently received considerable attention. Although active MPO and hypochlorite-modified proteins and peptides have been detected in human atherosclerotic lesions, detection of novel chlorinated oxidized lipid species with proatherogenic properties in vivo has not yet been report...

OBJECTIVE Exogenous insulin use in patients with type 2 diabetes (DM2) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Through which mechanisms insulin may increase atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability is currently unclear. Because insulin has been suggested to promote angiogenesis in diabetic retinopathy and tumors, we hypothesized that insulin enhances intra-plaque angiog...

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has been widely used for reconstructions. Nevertheless, the atherosclerotic risk factors that affect the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) are still inconclusive. The aim was to study the effect of atherosclerosis on the LCFA and descending branch (dLCFA) visualized by computer tomographic angiography (CTA) between nonatherosclerosis and atherosclerosis...

Objective—Atherosclerotic plaques with large lipid cores and inflammation contain regions of hypoxia. We examined the uptake of 2-(2-nitro-H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl) acetamide ([F]EF5), a specific marker of hypoxia labeled for positron emission tomography, in mouse atherosclerotic plaques. Methods and Results—Atherosclerotic mice of 2 different genetic backgrounds (low-den...