Altered Expression of beta3 Integrin on Sclerotic Aortic Valves in a Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit Model.
- Author:
Chan Beom PARK
1
;
Young Du KIM
;
Misun CHOE
;
Ung JIN
;
Seok Whan MOON
;
Yong Han KIM
;
Chi Kyung KIM
;
Keon Hyon JO
;
Jong Bum KWEON
Author Information
1. Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea. jbkwon@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Aortic valve;
Hypercholesterolemia;
Atherosclerosis;
Integrins
- MeSH:
Aorta;
Aortic Valve;
Atherosclerosis;
Cholesterol;
Diet;
Hemodynamics;
Humans;
Hypercholesterolemia;
Integrin beta3;
Integrins;
Lipoproteins;
Macrophages;
Male;
Myocardial Infarction;
Myofibroblasts;
Rabbits;
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction;
RNA, Messenger;
Sclerosis
- From:The Korean Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
2008;41(6):687-694
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Although aortic valve sclerosis causes no significant hemodynamic alterations, it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction. However, the role of beta3 integrin in aortic valve sclerosis remains unclear. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty male New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups. Group 1 rabbits (n=10) received a normal chow diet, while group 2 (n=10) rabbits received a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 12 weeks. After the rabbits were euthanized, their aortic valves and ascending aortas were excised for analysis. RESULT: Total serum cholesterol (2,148.3+/-1,012.5 mg/dL versus 53.7+/-31.8 mg/dL, p<0.05), triglyceride (240.4+/-218.3 mg/dL versus 31.6+/-6.4 mg/dL, p<0.05), and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (2,065.3+/-960.9 mg/dL versus 29.1+/-30.9 mg/dL, p<0.05) levels were significantly higher in the cholesterol diet group compared with the normal diet group. Myofibroblasts and macrophages were more highly expressed in the aortic valve leaflets of rabbits in the cholesterol diet group than of those in the normal diet group. A real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed decreased beta3 integrin mRNA levels in the hypercholesterolemic aortic valves and aortas. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that hypercholesterolemia induces aortic valve sclerosis. These findings suggest that alterations in beta3 integrin may play a role in the development of aortic valve sclerosis.
