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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
06:43
Quantitative Analysis and Characterization of Atherosclerotic Lesions in the Murine Aortic Sinus
Published on: December 7, 2013
The effect of statin on the aortic gene expression profiling
Shu-Lin Liu1, Yi-Heng Li, Guey-Yueh Shi
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
International Journal of Cardiology
|May 9, 2006
Summary
This study shows that statin treatment significantly reduces cholesterol and atherosclerotic lesions in mice. Statin
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacogenomics
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Statins are known for lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and anti-thrombotic effects.
- Genetic expression changes in atherosclerotic lesions due to statins are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of statin treatment on aortic gene expression in cholesterol-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
- To identify specific genes and pathways affected by pravastatin.
Main Methods:
- Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet and treated with pravastatin or a placebo.
- Aortic gene expression was analyzed using oligonucleotide microarray technology.
- Key genes and their functions were identified through differential expression analysis.
Main Results:
- Pravastatin treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol and atherosclerotic lesion area.
- Microarray analysis revealed 94 significantly regulated genes (30 up-regulated, 64 down-regulated) in the aorta.
- Up-regulated genes were primarily involved in cytoskeleton organization, including Rgs5; down-regulated genes included adenosine deaminase and atrial natriuretic peptide.
Conclusions:
- Statin's beneficial effects in this model are linked to its influence on cytoskeleton organization.
- Findings may offer insights into the clinical benefits of long-term statin therapy for atherosclerosis.
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