The Study Of The Expression Of Lox-1 In Aorta Of Atherosclerotic Rabbits And The Intervention Effects Of Fluvastatin

[Objective] To explore the intervention effects of fluvastatin on expression of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and observe the relationship between expression of LOX-1 and the stability of atherosclerotic plaque, further elucidate the important role of LOX-1 during the development of atherosclerosis and provide a new thinking for the atherosclerotic treatment.[Methods] Twenty-four male NewZealand white rabbits were randomly and equally divided into three groups: control group(C group, n=8), fed with normal diet;atherosclerosis group(AS group, n=8), fed with high lipids diet and fluvastatin-treated group(FLUT group, n=8), fed with high lipids diet and treated with fluvastatin. They were fed for 16 weeks, the thoracic aortae were harvested, the concentrations of serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were measured. We used hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to observe the morphology of thoracic aortae and immunohistochemical staining to measure the expression of LOX-1 protein, the soakage of the macrophage in plaques was also examined by immunohistochemitry.The LOX-1 mRNA was analyzed by RT-PCR.[Results]1. The morphology of the thoracic aorta:the intima of thoracic aorta in fluvastatin-treated group was thinner than that in AS group(P<0.05), and the lumina of thoracic aorta in fluvastatin-treated group was larger than that in AS group(P<0.05),the intima structure of thoracic aorta in C group was normal, there was no plaque in it.2. The concentration of serum TC and LDL-C in AS group and FLUT group at 16 weeks was significant higher than that at 0 weeks (P<0.05), there was significant difference between AS group and FLUT group(P<0.05).3. The immunohistochemical staining results of LOX-1 : the buffy particle mainly expressed on plasm and membrane of endothelial cells and foam cells in incrassate intima , the average optical density value of LOX-1 positive staining signal in AS group and FLUT group was 0.2335±0.0149, 0.1387±0.0129, respectively, with significant difference between them(P<0.05).4. The immunohistochemical staining results of macrophage:the soakage of the macrophage in atherosclerotic plaque of AS group and FLUT group was significant higher than those of control group (p<0.05); the soakage of the macrophage in atherosclerotic plaque of FLUT group was significant lower than AS group(p<0.05).5. The relative value of LOX-1 mRNA in AS group and FLUT group was 0.6870±0.1278, 0.4300±0.1415, respectively, with significant difference between them(P<0.05).[Conclusion] Fluvastatin could inhibit the expression of LOX-1 and the soakage of macrophage in atherosclerotic plaques in aorta of atherosclerotic rabbit by significantly lowering serum TC and LDL-C, which may be one of mechanisms of its effect on endothelial protection and stabilizing the atherosclerotic plaques .