Adiponectin reduces atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research
• Cardiovascular Science
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Adipocyte-derived molecules are crucial in atherosclerosis development.
• Adiponectin, an adipocyte protein, was previously shown to inhibit inflammatory responses and cell proliferation in vitro.
• This study aimed to confirm adiponectin's anti-atherosclerotic effects in vivo.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vivo effect of elevated plasma adiponectin on atherosclerosis.
• To determine if increased adiponectin levels can suppress the development of atherosclerotic lesions.

Main Methods:

• Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were treated with adenovirus expressing human adiponectin (Ad-APN) or a control (Ad-betagal).
• Plasma adiponectin levels were measured.
• Atherosclerotic lesion formation in the aortic sinus was quantified.
• Immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze lesion composition and gene expression.

Main Results:

• Ad-APN treatment increased plasma adiponectin levels 48-fold.
• Lesion formation in the aortic sinus was reduced by 30% in Ad-APN-treated mice (P<0.05).
• Ad-APN treatment decreased lipid droplet size in lesions (P<0.01) and suppressed mRNA levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (29%) and class A scavenger receptor (34%).

Conclusions:

• Elevated plasma adiponectin suppresses atherosclerosis development in vivo.
• Adiponectin's anti-atherosclerotic effects include reducing lesion formation and modulating inflammatory gene expression.
• This provides the first in vivo evidence for adiponectin's role in preventing atherosclerosis.