Increased microvascular permeability in the hamster cheek pouch induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL)...

Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) and protein fractions obtained by size exclusion chromatography of oxLDL were tested for vascular permeability effects on topical application to the hamster cheek pouch.

The hamster cheek pouch was prepared for intravital microscopy observations of macromolecular leakage at post capillary venules (=leaks) with FITC-dextran as tracer.

OxLDL (0.1 mg/ml), PAF (platelet activation factor, 50-100 nM) and protein fractions of oxLDL (10 microg/ml) were applied topically to hamster cheek pouches.

Application of oxLDL and PAF resulted in reversible increases in the number of leaks. The PAF-antagonist WEB 2170, L-NAME and a beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist inhibited (P<0.01) almost completely the macromolecular leakage induced with oxLDL or PAF. Protein fractions were found to be more effective than unfractionated oxLDL in inducing plasma leakage as calculated on mg/ml-basis.

Hamster oxLDL is a potent inducer of macromolecular leakage increase in the hamster cheek pouch microcirculation. The principal effect is mediated by PAF-like structures produced by the oxidation of the LDL-particle but oxLDL also contains low molecular weight proteins that could contribute to the overall vascular permeability increasing effect of ox LDL.