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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
Published on: June 12, 2019
A selective NFkappaB inhibitor, DHMEQ, reduced atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice
Tsuyoshi Chiba1, Yoshitaka Kondo, Shohei Shinozaki
1Geriatrics and Vascular Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University Graduate School, Japan.
Background And Purpose:
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process, and anti-inflammatory agents potentially inhibit the development of atherosclerosis. We tested whether a novel NFkappaB inhibitor reduces atherosclerosis.
Methods:
Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle (chloromethyl cellulose) was injected intraperitoneally into apoE-deficient mice three times a week for 16 weeks. The entire aorta was excised and atherosclerotic area was determined at 4 and 16 weeks. Serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, TNF-alpha and adiponectin were also measured.
Results:
The atherosclerotic area was significantly smaller in mice treated with dehydroxymethyl-epoxyquinomicin both at 4 and 16 weeks. There was no significant difference in body weight or serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, and adiponectin.
Conclusions:
A new NFkappaB inhibitor, dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin, reduced atherosclerosis without affecting plasma lipid levels in apoE-deficient mice.
Insights
A novel NFkappaB inhibitor, dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin, significantly reduced atherosclerosis in mice. This anti-inflammatory drug offers a potential new treatment for atherosclerosis without impacting lipid levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Inflammation and Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease.
- Anti-inflammatory agents may inhibit atherosclerosis development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a novel NFkappaB inhibitor, dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin, for its effect on atherosclerosis.
- To determine if dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin reduces atherosclerotic lesions in apoE-deficient mice.
Main Methods:
- ApoE-deficient mice received dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle intraperitoneally, three times weekly for 16 weeks.
- Atherosclerotic area in the aorta was quantified at 4 and 16 weeks.
- Serum lipid profiles, TNF-alpha, and adiponectin levels were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin significantly reduced atherosclerotic area at both 4 and 16 weeks.
- No significant differences were observed in body weight or serum cholesterol, triglyceride, or adiponectin levels between groups.
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha levels were not reported in the provided abstract.
Conclusions:
- Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin effectively reduces atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice.
- The NFkappaB inhibitor demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis.
- Treatment did not alter key plasma lipid parameters, suggesting a specific anti-atherosclerotic mechanism.
