Colchicine Does Not Reduce Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Growth in a Mouse Model

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Inflammation Biology
• Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

• The nacht domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is implicated in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) pathogenesis.
• Its precise role in AAA development and progression remains to be fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate NLRP3 inflammasome activation in a murine model of AAA.
• To evaluate the efficacy of colchicine, an inflammasome inhibitor, in limiting AAA expansion.

Main Methods:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) was induced in C57BL6/J mice using elastase and 3-aminopropionitrile (E-BAPN).
• Inflammasome activation markers (IL-1β, caspase-1) and aortic diameter were assessed.
• Mice received daily oral colchicine or vehicle control for 13 weeks post-AAA induction.

Main Results:

• NLRP3 inflammasome markers (IL-1β and caspase-1) were significantly upregulated in AAA samples compared to controls.
• Aortic diameter significantly increased in mice with induced AAA versus sham controls.
• Colchicine treatment did not significantly reduce the rate of aortic diameter increase.

Conclusions:

• The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated during the development of AAA in this mouse model.
• Daily oral administration of colchicine failed to attenuate AAA growth.
• Further research is needed to explore therapeutic strategies targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome in AAA.