Effect of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 on atherosclerotic plaque

Zhou Yi-hua; Wang Shu; Yuan Ying

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.18.017

Abstract：BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis in atherosclerotic plaque occurred on the basis of atherosclerotic lesions, and the new formed blood vessels promoted the development of angiogenesis. Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sFlt-1) gene transfection reduces neointimal formation after vascular injury in rabbits, also reduces early vascular inflammation and proliferation, and the formation of neointima lately. <br> OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of highly expressed sFlt-1 on atherosclerotic plaque. <br> METHODS: A total of 48 male New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups randomly: normal control group (n=8), sham operation group (n=8), bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1 group (n=16) and bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1-sFlt-1 group (n=16). Normal control group and sham operation group were supplied with normal diet. Bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1 group and bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1-sFlt-1 group were supplied with high lipid diet and injured by bal oon 2 weeks later. Bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1 group was transfected with pEGFP-N1 and bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1-sFlt-1 group was transfected with pEGFP-N1-sFlt-1. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1 group and bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1-sFlt-1 group, blood lipid levels apparently increased. At 3 days after model establishment, sFlt-1 expression levels noticeably increased, and atherosclerotic plaque formed to different degrees. Plaque area, plaque perimeter, plaque maximum thickness and the number of positive-cel s within the plaque were significantly less in the bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1-sFlt-1 group than in the bal oon injury+high lipid diet+pEGFP-N1 group. These results confirm that sFlt-1 gene may express effectively in iliac artery wal of rabbit, inhibited the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and delayed the development of atherosclerotic plaque.