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Antiatherosclerotic potential of clopidogrel: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory approaches
Najah R Hadi1, Bassim I Mohammad2, Ihsan M Ajeena3
1Department of Pharmacology, College Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq.
Insights
Clopidogrel effectively combats atherosclerosis by reducing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. This antiplatelet medication significantly mitigates atherosclerotic lesion progression in the aorta.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Atherosclerosis involves endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and lipid buildup in arteries.
- Characterized by increased lipids, cholesterol, calcium, and debris in arterial walls.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of clopidogrel on the progression of atherosclerosis.
- Evaluate clopidogrel's effects on key biomarkers and aortic pathology.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits were divided into normal, atherogenic, vehicle, and clopidogrel-treated groups.
- Assessed serum lipids, hsCRP, MDA, GSH, and performed immunohistochemical analysis of aortic tissue.
Main Results:
- Atherogenic diet increased lipid profile, hsCRP, MDA, and decreased GSH.
- Clopidogrel significantly reduced hsCRP, MDA, and increased GSH levels.
- Clopidogrel treatment decreased inflammatory markers (VCAM-1, MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-17A) and atherosclerotic lesions.
Conclusions:
- Clopidogrel effectively reduces lipid peroxidation and systemic inflammation.
- The drug mitigates atherosclerosis progression by decreasing aortic inflammatory markers and lesions.
Background:
Atherosclerosis is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation, and the buildup of lipids, cholesterol, calcium, and cellular debris within the intima of the walls of large and medium size arteries.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of clopidogrel on atherosclerosis progression.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 28 local domestic rabbits were assigned to four groups: normal control, atherogenic control, vehicle control, and clopidogrel treated. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, plasma high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and plasma reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured at the end of the experiment. Immunohistochemical of aortic atherosclerotic changes were also performed.
Results:
There was no statistically significant difference between atherogenic control group and vehicle group. Levels of lipid profile, atherogenic index, hsCRP, and MDA are increased while GSH levels were decreased in animals on atherogenic diet. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that aortic expressions of VCAM-1, MCP-1, TNF- α , and IL-17A were significantly increased in atherogenic control group. Histopathologic finding showed that animals on atherogenic diet have significant atherosclerotic lesion. Compared to atherogenic control group clopidogrel do not have significant effect on lipid profile. Clopidogrel significantly reduces hsCRP and MDA levels and increases GSH level. Furthermore, clopidogrel treatment significantly reduced aortic expressions parameters and the histopathologic examination of the aortic arch showed a significant reduction of atherosclerotic lesion.
Conclusions:
This study outlines how clopidogrel reduces lipid peroxidation, systemic inflammation, and aortic expression of inflammatory markers and hence reduces the progression of atherosclerosis.
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