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Published on: May 26, 2022
Eplerenone does not attenuate diabetes-associated atherosclerosis
Philip J W Koh1, Audrey Koitka, Mark E Cooper
1Diabetes and Atherosclerosis Laboratory, Diabetic Complications Group, Diabetes Division, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Journal of Hypertension
|April 22, 2009
Summary
Aldosterone antagonism with eplerenone did not reduce atherosclerosis in diabetic mice. While it reduced superoxide production, it did not impact key inflammatory markers in this context.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Aldosterone exhibits pro-inflammatory and profibrotic effects, potentially contributing to atherosclerosis.
- The role of aldosterone in diabetes-associated atherosclerosis requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of aldosterone antagonism in mitigating atherosclerosis in a mouse model of experimental diabetes.
- To assess the impact of eplerenone, an aldosterone antagonist, on atherosclerotic lesion development in diabetic ApoE knockout mice.
Main Methods:
- Experimental diabetes was induced in ApoE knockout mice using streptozotocin.
- Mice were treated with eplerenone (200 mg/kg/day) in their feed for 20 weeks.
- Atherosclerosis was quantified by en face analysis of aortic lesion area.
Main Results:
- Eplerenone treatment did not significantly reduce aortic atherosclerosis in diabetic mice compared to untreated diabetic controls.
- A significant reduction in plaque area was observed in non-diabetic control groups treated with eplerenone.
- Eplerenone treatment reduced cytosolic superoxide production but did not attenuate key atherogenic markers like MCP-1 and VCAM-1 in diabetic mice.
Conclusions:
- Aldosterone antagonism via eplerenone may not provide significant antiatherosclerotic benefits in the context of experimental diabetes.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay between aldosterone, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.
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