[Effects of three different treatments on atherosclerosis and adipose in rats]

To explore the effects of three different treatments, including probucol plus aspirin (PS), lovastatin plus aspirin (AS) and probucol, lovastatin plus aspirin (PAS) on atherosclerotic plaque and adipose.

A total of 31 SD rats with established atherosclerosis were randomly divided into control group (n = 7), high-fat group (n = 4), PS group (n = 8), AS group (n = 5) and PAS group (n = 7). The PS group rats were lavaged with probucol (104.4 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) and aspirin 10.4 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)), AS group ones aspirin (10.4 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) and lovastatin (2.1 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) and PAS group ones probucol (104.4 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)), aspirin (10.4 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) and lovastatin (2.1 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)) for 8 weeks. At the same time, the control group received an equal volume of saline. Finally the plaque stability and adipose function of treatment groups were evaluated by the changes of body weight, serum parameters, adipose weights and pathological specimens.

Body weights in PS and PAS groups significantly increased than those in AS group (251 g ± 5 g and 247 g ± 7 g vs 220 g ± 6 g, P < 0.01). The serum levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), glucose (Glu), total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) were significantly better in PS and PAS groups than those in AS group (P < 0.01). The level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was lower in PAS group than that in high-fat group (27 ± 21 vs 100 ± 34 pg/ml, P < 0.05). The stability level of atherosclerotic plaque was more in PAS group than those in PS and AS groups by oil red staining in aorta, oil red staining in different organs and hematoxylin and eosin staining in different aortal parts.

Atherosclerosis improves more pronouncedly in PS and PAS groups than that in AS group. Through an analysis of the changes of fat-related indicators, adipose factor may play an important role in atherosclerotic treatment.