Abstract 500: Vitamin D Supplementation Attenuates ADAM-12-mediated Proliferation of Carotid Artery Smooth Muscle Cells of Hypercholesterolemic Swine

Introduction: Risk of hypertension, peripheral artery disease, myocardial infarction and development of human atherosclerosis has been linked to vitamin D deficiency. Atheromatous cytokines, including IL-6, TNF-α and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family growth factors are released at the site of atherosclerosis and boost the activity of proteolytic enzymes such as ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinases). ADAM-12 cleaves proHB-EGF (Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor) activating EGFR, resulting in increased proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of vitamin D on IL-6 and TNF-α-induced ADAM-12, pEGFR expression, HB-EGF release and SMC proliferation. Methods: Micro-swine were fed with vitamin D-deficient high cholesterol diet, high cholesterol diet containing 900 IU of vitamin D, and high cholesterol diet containing 3000 IU of vitamin D for total of 12 months. After six months, serum cholesterol levels of 500-600 mg/dL were achieved in al...