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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
06:59

Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice

Published on: June 12, 2019

Tanshinone IIA attenuates atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/-) mice through down-regulation of scavenger receptor expression

Fu-Tian Tang1, Yuan Cao, Tie-Qiao Wang

  • 1Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, People's Republic of China.

European Journal of Pharmacology
|September 22, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) protects against atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/-) mice by reducing lesions and cholesterol. It also down-regulates scavenger receptors like CD36, potentially via PPARγ antagonism, offering a novel therapeutic avenue.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Toxicology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a complex inflammatory disease driven by lipid accumulation and scavenger receptor activity.
  • Apolipoprotein E deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice are a standard model for studying atherosclerosis.
  • Scavenger receptors, including CD36 and scavenger receptor-A (SR-A), play critical roles in atherogenesis by mediating oxidized LDL uptake.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of tanshinone IIA (TSIIA) against atherosclerosis in ApoE(-/-) mice.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, focusing on the regulation of scavenger receptors (SR-A and CD36) and related pathways.
  • To explore the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in TSIIA's action.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo studies using ApoE(-/-) mice treated with varying doses of TSIIA.
  • In vitro studies using mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to oxidized LDL (oxLDL).
  • Analysis of atherosclerotic lesions, cholesterol levels, CD68 expression, and mRNA/protein levels of CD36, SR-A, and PPARγ.

Main Results:

  • TSIIA significantly inhibited atherosclerotic lesions, reduced aortic cholesterol, and decreased CD68 expression in ApoE(-/-) mice.
  • TSIIA lowered serum oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels and down-regulated CD36, SR-A, and PPARγ mRNA in mouse aortas.
  • In macrophages, TSIIA reduced oxLDL uptake, cholesterol levels, and CD36 expression, with evidence suggesting PPARγ antagonism is involved.

Conclusions:

  • Tanshinone IIA exhibits significant anti-atherosclerotic effects in ApoE(-/-) mice.
  • These protective effects are associated with the down-regulation of scavenger receptors (CD36) and potentially mediated by anti-oxidative properties and PPARγ antagonism.
  • TSIIA represents a potential therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis, warranting further investigation.

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