Objective(s):Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol compound that has been shown a promising cardioprotective effect. However, some reports have yielded conflicting findings. Herein, we investigated the anti-atherosclerotic effects of RES in apolipoprotein E (apo E)-deficient mice on a high cholesterol diet. Materials and Methods: Firstly, atherosclerosis was induced by feeding a high cholesterol di...

BACKGROUND We have reported that human mononuclear leukocytes contain large amounts of angiotensin II (Ang II). The goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that Ang II is present in monocyte/macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS Segments of thoracic aorta and left circumflex coronary artery were obtained from 3 groups of cynomolgus monkeys: normal, atheroscl...

To date, the glycoprotein endoglin and its receptor complex, formed between TGFβ and TGFβR-2, have been studied in tumor angiogenesis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression profile of endoglin and its receptor complex in human atherosclerotic lesions, and compare it to that in non-atherosclerotic tissues. Twenty-six atherosclerotic lesions and twenty-six non-atherosclerotic...

BACKGROUND Hyperhomocysteine is an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease (CHD). However, whether hyperhomocysteine affects the progression of atherosclerosis is unclear. In the present study, we examined the effect of hyperhomocysteine on the formation of atherosclerosis in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDLr(-/-)) mice. METHODS Forty-eight 7-week-old LDLr(-/-) mice w...

Background and Objectives: Diabetes vascular complications are the principal cause of death in the world. Therefore, we investigated the effect of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) on the formation of atheromatous plaque formation and renal function in the atherosclerotic rats. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups (ten rats in each group): normal, ath...

BACKGROUND Mice deficient in the LDL receptor (Ldlr(-/-) mice) have been widely used as a model to mimic human atherosclerosis. However, the time-course of atherosclerotic lesion development and distribution of lesions at specific time-points are yet to be established. The current study sought to determine the progression and distribution of lesions in Ldlr(-/-) mice. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FI...

Atherosclerotic vascular disease is a chronic inflammation characterized by aberrant lipid metabolism and a maladapted inflammatory response. Arterial inflammation is triggered by an insult to the endothelial lining, leading to activation of endothelial cells and recruitment of leukocytes, predominantly monocytes, to the vessel wall. The leukocyte recruitment cascade includes the initial captur...

Early diagnosis of subclinical atherosclerosis can be established using noninvasive imaging techniques, which enable to assess atherosclerotic lesions at different stages of their development, from endothelial dysfunction, through morphological lesions in the arteries, to advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Given high risk of accelerated development of atherosclerotic lesions in patients with sys...