Per os colchicine administration in cholesterol fed rabbits: Triglycerides lowering effects without affecting...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Inflammation and Immunology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-18, produced by the NLRP3 inflammasome.
• Leptin influences atherosclerotic lesion development, and inflammasome activity is implicated in diseases such as diabetes.
• Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory agent, is known to inhibit inflammasome activity and stabilize atherosclerotic lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of oral colchicine on the de novo formation of atherosclerotic lesions in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
• To assess the impact of colchicine on serum levels of IL-18, leptin, and insulin.
• To evaluate colchicine's influence on triglyceride levels and aortic intima thickness.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-three male New Zealand White rabbits were divided into three groups: standard diet, cholesterol diet (1% w/w), and cholesterol diet plus colchicine (2 mg/kg body weight) for 7 weeks.
• Blood samples were analyzed for biochemical markers, and ELISA was used to measure IL-18, leptin, and insulin levels.
• Histological examination of aorta specimens and image analysis of intimal thickness were performed, with statistical analysis using non-parametric tests.

Main Results:

• Oral colchicine administration did not significantly alter IL-18, leptin, or insulin levels between the groups.
• No correlation was found between IL-18, leptin, and intima thickness, nor between IL-18 and glucose or leptin and weight.
• While triglyceride levels decreased in the cholesterol plus colchicine group, intima thickness in the aorta was significantly greater in this group compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Oral colchicine did not inhibit atherosclerosis progression or affect IL-18, insulin, and leptin levels in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
• Colchicine demonstrated an attenuating effect on triglyceride levels.
• The observed increase in intima thickness suggests colchicine may not be beneficial for preventing atherosclerotic lesion formation in this model.