Toyohiro Tsukada

Reduction of Serum Cholesterol Levels Alters Lesional Composition of Atherosclerotic Plaques: Effect of Pravastatin Sodium on Atherosclerosis in Mature WHHL Rabbits

We examined whether serum cholesterol reduction alters the lesional composition of atherosclerotic plaques. To reduce serum cholesterol levels, we gave pravastatin sodium, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, to mature Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic rabbits, an LDL receptor-deficient animal model, for 48 weeks. Atherosclerotic lesions were immunohistochemically and conventionally stained and each lesional component area was measured by a color image analyzer. Compared with those of a placebo group, serum LDL cholesterol levels were reduced by 22% (P<.05). Data for atherosclerosis indicated a significant decrease in percent of surface lesion area (26% reduction) and in intimal thickening (30% reduction) in the abdominal aorta, as well as in coronary stenosis (29% reduction). Data for lesional composition indicated a significant decrease in the percent area of macrophage plus extracellular lipid deposits in aortic lesions (32% reduction) and coronary lesions (45% reduction). A significant increase was observed in the percent area of collagen in aortic lesions and in the percent area of smooth muscle cells in coronary lesions. The plaques seemed to become stable lesions as a result of pravastatin treatment. In conclusion, a long-term reduction of serum LDL cholesterol reduced lipid-related lesional components, in addition to suppressing the progression of established atherosclerosis.

Combination treatment with troglitazone, an insulin action enhancer, and pravastatin, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, shows a synergistic effect on atherosclerosis of WHHL rabbits

We examined whether improving insulin resistance augments the antiatherosclerotic effect of LDL reduction. Since WHHL rabbits show hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, we administered troglitazone (100 mg/kg), an insulin action enhancer, pravastatin sodium (50 mg/kg), an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, and a combination of both drugs to 2-month-old WHHL rabbits for 32 weeks. As compared to the control, total cholesterol levels in the plasma and LDL were decreased significantly by 20% in the pravastatin and combination groups. Basal immunoreactive insulin levels and insulin index were decreased significantly by approximately 50% in the troglitazone and combination groups. Surface lesion area of atherosclerosis on the thoracic aorta was decreased significantly by 36% in the combination group and was less in the troglitazone group. Coronary atherosclerosis was decreased significantly by 39% in the combination group and was less in the pravastatin and troglitazone groups. The collagen content in the plaques was decreased in the troglitezone and combination groups and the extracellular lipid deposits were decreased in the pravastatin and combination groups. The incidence and severity of xanthomata in the digital joints were also decreased significantly in the three treated groups. In conclusion, the antiatherogenic effect of the combination treatment is stronger than that of the monotherapy.

Cytokinetic study of aortocoronary bypass vein grafts in place for less than six months

To evaluate the initial mechanism involving atherosclerotic changes of the saphenous vein graft implanted for coronary artery revascularization in the early stage, immunocytochemical analysis was performed to determine the cell components and kinetics of saphenous vein grafts. Specimens of saphenous vein grafts were obtained from 7 necropsy patients who died at 4 days to 6 months after surgery. Monoclonal antibodies specific for smooth muscle cells (HHF35) and macrophages (HAM56) were used for analysis of the cell components. Migration of macrophages into the intima and the media was observed on the fourth postoperative day. Intimal thickening was characterized by the proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and scattered macrophages were present in the subendothelial layer 1 month after surgery. At 2 months, intimal thickening became prominent and macrophages were recognized circumferentially throughout the layer. At 5 to 6 months, some of the saphenous vein grafts were almost occluded by severe intimal thickening due to proliferation of the smooth muscle cells. Macrophages were also observed both inside and outside of the internal elastic lamina; these are rarely found in the artery. These results suggest that compared with the arterial graft, cytokinesia of the saphenous vein graft contributes to the development of early graft failure because of its rapidity in progression and severity.

Immunocytochemical investigation of atherosclerotic changes observed in aortocoronary bypass vein grafts using monoclonal antibodies

The authors have performed immunocytochemical surveys on atherosclerotic changes observed in saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass grafts, comparing the changes occurring in coronary and aortic lesions. The two monoclonal antibodies used in this study were obtained by T. Tsukada. One of them, named HHF35, exhibited specificity to smooth muscle cells; the other, named HAM56, was specific to macrophages. These immunocytochemical studies clearly demonstrated that cells encountered within the fibrous intimal thickening in the vein graft were inevitably smooth muscle cell in origin. Macrophages were seldom seen in the grafts examined. In contrast to vein grafts, macrophages were noted within the intima of all specimens from arterial atherosclerotic lesions obtained from the same patients. These studies suggest a difference in the progression of intimal thickening between the venous graft and the arterial atherosclerotic lesions.

Combination treatment with an insulin action enhancer and an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase shows a synergistic effect on atherosclerosis of WHHL rabbits

The purpose of this study was to examine whether improving insulin resistance augments the antiatherosclerotic effect of LDL reduction. We administered troglitazone (100 mg/kg), an insulin action enhancer and/or pravastatin (50 mg/kg), an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, to 2-month-old WHHL rabbits for 32 weeks. In the pravastatin and combination groups, plasma cholesterol levels decreased. In the troglitazone and combination groups, basal immunoreactive insulin levels were normalized and insulin resistance was improved. Aortic atherosclerosis tended to derease in all three treated groups. Coronary atherosclerosis tended to decrease in the troglitazone and pravastatin groups, and significantly decreased in the combination group. Regarding percent area of lesional components of aortic atherosclerosis, significant decrease was observed in the collagen of the combination group and in the extracellular lipid deposits of the pravastatin and combination groups, while percent area of macrophages increased in all treated groups. The lesional findings of the treated groups were similar to early atherosclerotic lesions thereby suggesting delayed progression of atherosclerosis. In conclusion, the antiatherosclerotic effect of the combination treatment is stronger than that of monotherapy.