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Defibrotide decreases cholesterol amount in hypercholesterolemic rabbit aorta, with no modification of plasma or
1Crinos Biological Research Laboratories, Villa Guardia Como, Italy.
Insights
Defibrotide, an antithrombotic agent, reduced aortic cholesterol and vascular lesions in rabbits. This suggests defibrotide
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis involves cholesterol deposition and vascular lesions.
- Antithrombotic agents may influence atherosclerotic processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of defibrotide on cholesterol levels and vascular lesions in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis.
- To explore the potential role of defibrotide's antithrombotic activity in managing cardiovascular conditions.
Main Methods:
- Cholesterol-fed rabbits received intravenous defibrotide or placebo.
- Measurements included aortic cholesterol, plasma lipids, platelet aggregation, and vascular lesion counts.
Main Results:
- Defibrotide decreased aortic cholesterol and reduced platelet aggregation.
- Fewer vascular lesions were observed in defibrotide-treated rabbits compared to placebo.
- Plasma lipid profiles and lipoprotein composition remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Defibrotide demonstrates potential in reducing cholesterol accumulation in the aorta.
- Its antithrombotic properties may mitigate vascular damage in atherosclerosis-prone states.
- Defibrotide's ability to decrease platelet sensitivity is a key factor in its cardiovascular benefits.
Abstract:
Defibrotide, (D) an antithrombotic agent, when administered i.v. to cholesterol-fed rabbits decreased cholesterol in the aorta without changing total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride or phospholipid, nor the cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid and protein of plasma lipoproteins. Platelet aggregation was decreased in rabbits treated with D. There were fewer vascular lesions in the hearts and kidneys of animals treated with D than in animals fed cholesterol and treated with placebo. These data suggest that the antithrombotic activity of D and its ability to reduce platelet sensitivity could help to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the cardiovascular system in atherosclerosis-prone situations.