Effect Of Valsartan On Lectin-like Oxidized-low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1 Expression In Balloon-injured Rat Aorta

Objective It’s established that Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1(LOX-1) is involved in intimal hyperplasia after balloon injury.The recent evidence also suggests that valsartan has an antiatheroscletic effects. In this study, the expression of LOX-1 and the effect of valsartan on its expression was investigated in rat aorta after balloon injury.Methods Rat model of aortic endothelial denudation was induced by an 2F balloon catheter.Rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group,operation group and valsartan treatment group.The aortic tissues were taken from rats in each group at day 14 and 28 after surgery. The thickness of vascular wall was measured with HE stain, LOX-1 m RNA and protein were determined by reverse transcription-polymerse chain reaction(RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively.Results Compared with the control group, significant intimal thickening was observed at day 14 and 28 after injury.Compared with the operation group, intimal thickness of each time point was significantly decreased in valsartan treatment group. At day 14 and 28 after balloon injury, the expression levels of LOX-1 m RNA and protein were significantly increased,and were greatly decreased after valsartan treatment.Conclusions The expression of LOX-1 is increased after endothelial injury. Valsartan inhibits aortic intimal thickening induced by endothelial denudation, which is associated with the downregulation of LOX-1 expression...