GW24-e1367 Effects of Pioglitazone on the Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Rabbits with Atherosclerosis

Objectives To investigate the effects of pioglitazone (pio) on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in Rabbits with Atherosclerosis. Methods Sixty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups: A, normal control group treated with normal sodium, B, normal group treated with low dosage pio (2.5 mg/kg.d), C, pathological control group treated with normal sodium, D, pathological group treated with low dosage pio, E, pathological group treated with high dosage pio (10mg/ kg.d). Rabbits in groups A and B were fed with normal chow, Rabbits in groups B, C and D were fed with high fat diet. After 3 weeks,the surgery of abdominal aorta endothelium denudation was managed in the last three groups. All rabbits were continued on their respective dietary and treated with two dosage of pio for 10 weeks. all rabbits were sacrificed at the end of the twelfth week Blood glucose and serum lipids levels were measured on the twelfth week. Aortae were analysed by histopathological examination. The protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, platelet-derived growth factor-B, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and α-smooth muscle actin was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of PPARγ and PDGF—B was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results (1) Dislipidemia was successfully reproduced in rabbits after twelve weeks. Administration of pioglitazone could greatly decreased serum TG and greatly increased HDL-C in dose-dependent way (P < 0.01), but TC and LDL-C were not significantly decreased (P > 0.05). The differences of blood glucose between 0 week and twelfth week were not significant (P > 0.05). (2) The atherosclerosis model with rabbits had been successfully established with high fat diet and abdominal aorta endothelium denudation. There were severe pathological lesions in group C. Pioglitazone can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, the pathological of atherosclerosis in group D and group E was significantly milder than group C (P < 0.01). Pioglitazone could greatly diminish the area of plaque and thickness of endomembrane in dose-dependent way. (3) The expression of PPARγ mRNA and protein greatly increased in group C when comparing to group A (P < 0.01). The expression of PPARγ in group D and group E was lower (P < 0.01) than in group C and higher than in group A (P < 0.01). (4) Compared with group A, the mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ increased significantly (P < 0.01); the protein expression of PCNA also increased significantly (P < 0.01). Compared with group C, they were significantly reduced in group D and group E (P < 0.01), but still higher than in group A. (P < 0.01). (5) The protein expression of α-SMA in group C was significantly decreased when compared to group A (P < 0.01). Administration of pioglitazone can significantly increased the protein expression of α-SMA. In group D and group E, they were greatly higher than in group C (P < 0.01). (6) The expression of PCNA was positively correlated with the expression of PDGF-B (r = 0.912, p<0.01). The expression of α-SMA was negatively correlated with the expression of PDGF-B (r =-0.851, p<0.01). Conclusions Pioglitazone can activate PPARγ, and then decrease serum TG, increase HDL-C, inhibit the expression of PDGF—B, decrease the expression of PCNA, increase the expression of α-SMA. These may be contribute to the inhibition of the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and anti-atherosclerosis in Rabbits with AS.