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Selective removal of cholesterol by plasmapheresis and the progression of atherosclerosis
H Nomura1, P S Malchesky, J B Goldcamp
1Department of Artificial Organs, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio.
Insights
Lowering plasma cholesterol in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits significantly reduced atherosclerosis progression. Thermofiltration effectively decreased cholesterol levels, slowing plaque development and improving aortic health.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Lipid Metabolism
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Epidemiologic studies show a strong correlation between plasma cholesterol and coronary heart disease risk.
- Atherosclerosis, a disease of the arteries, is closely linked to elevated cholesterol levels.
- The homozygous Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit model is used to study hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of plasma cholesterol lowering on atherosclerosis progression in WHHL rabbits.
- To assess the efficacy of thermofiltration as a method for cholesterol reduction.
- To investigate the impact of reduced cholesterol on atherosclerotic lesion development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized WHHL rabbits, a model for genetic hyperlipidemia.
- Employed thermofiltration, an on-line plasma separation and filtration technique at 39°C.
- Compared atherosclerosis progression between a thermofiltration-treated group and an untreated control group.
Main Results:
- Thermofiltration significantly reduced mean plasma total cholesterol (284 vs. 655 mg/dl, P = 0.0005).
- The treated group showed a significantly lower percentage of aortic area occupied by atherosclerotic plaque (15.0 vs. 44.2%, P = 0.0003).
- Reduced aortic total lipid and cholesterol content, along with thinner atherosclerotic lesions, were observed in the treated group.
Conclusions:
- Lowering plasma total cholesterol levels can slow or halt the progression of atherosclerosis.
- Thermofiltration is an effective method for reducing plasma cholesterol in hyperlipidemic models.
- This study demonstrates a direct link between cholesterol reduction and improved atherosclerotic outcomes in WHHL rabbits.
Abstract:
There is a strong correlation of plasma cholesterol levels with the risk of coronary heart diseases as shown by epidemiologic studies. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of plasma cholesterol lowering on the progression of atherosclerosis in the homozygous Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbit. The effect of cholesterol lowering, which was accomplished by thermofiltration (on-line plasma separation with plasma filtration at 39 degrees C) was evaluated by comparison between treated and untreated control groups. Thermofiltration reduced significantly the mean plasma level of total cholesterol (284 vs. 655 mg/dl, P = 0.0005) and the percent aortic area occupied by atherosclerotic plaque (15.0 vs. 44.2%, P = 0.0003). The total lipid and cholesterol contents in the aortas in the treated group were also significantly lower than those in the control group. Microscopically, thickness measurements of the lesions showed that the mean thickness of the fibrous cap and the ratio of the thickness of the intima to that of the media were smaller for the treated group than the control group. This study demonstrated the slowing or stopping of the progression of atherosclerosis by lowering the plasma total cholesterol level in WHHL rabbits.