P85Analysis of endothelial cell apoptosis and intimal hyperplasia in rabbit aorta during experimental atherosclerosis

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis in the development of pre-atherosclerotic intimal hyperplasia in different periods of experimental atherosclerosis. Methods:  Experimental atherogenic diet (Cholesterol, 200 mg/kg) in rabbits. Levels of lipid profile were measured in venous blood samples. Histological assays, IHC, TUNEL, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used.  Results:  Apoptotic index (AI) of EC and intimal thickness (Lia) were significantly increased (p<0.05) in rabbits after 7, 15, 30 and 60 days of experimental atherosclerosis in comparison with control group, with peak AI level in 15 days of experiment (p=0.001). Period of experimental atherosclerosis and increase of AI were positively correlated (rs=0.71, p<0.001; rs=0.41, p=0.008, respectively) with L. ROC curve analysis displayed the largest diagnostic characteristics for L 7.82 (5.83-7.82) μm (AUC=0.893. p<0.001) after 7 days of experiment.  The results of TUNEL (TUNEL-positive nuclei and cytoplasm of EC) and TEM (CT, connective tissue, DZ, destruction zone, N, nucleus) are given on the Figures 1 (a, b, respectively).  Conclusion:  Our results suggest that the formation of intimal hyperplasia might be a compensatory enlargement in response to EC apoptosis in cholesterol-fed rabbit aorta. ![Figure][1] Figure 1. TUNEL×1000 (a), TEM×5800 (b). [1]: pending:yes