Journal article
Effect of Short-term Regression of Atherosclerosis on Reactivity of Carotid and Retinal Arteries
Stroke (1970), Vol.27(5), pp.927-933
05/1996
DOI: 10.1161/01.STR.27.5.927
PMID: 8623115
Abstract
Background and purpose: This study tested the hypothesis that functional abnormalities of carotid and ocular arteries may improve after short-term regression of atherosclerosis, before regression of structural abnormalities.
Methods: We examined effects of short-term dietary treatment of atherosclerosis on carotid and ocular vascular responses to serotonin and to platelet activation by collagen in vivo. Three groups of monkeys were studied: normal cynomolgus monkeys, monkeys fed an atherogenic diet for 34 months, and atherosclerotic monkeys that were fed a regression diet for 8.6 +/- 1.1 months (mean +/- SE). We measured changes in carotid blood flow (using a Doppler probe), retinal blood flow (using microspheres), and diameter of the internal carotid artery (using quantitative angiography). Endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine was studied in rings of internal carotid artery in vitro.
Results: Carotid blood flow increased in response to both serotonin and collagen in normal monkeys, decreased in response to both agents in atherosclerotic monkeys, and was restored toward normal after regression. Serotonin had little effect on retinal blood flow in normal monkeys and produced a marked decrease in retinal blood flow in atherosclerotic monkeys; the vasoconstrictor response to serotonin was reduced after regression. Activation of platelets by collagen increased blood flow in normal monkeys, decreased blood flow in atherosclerotic monkeys, and had little effect after regression. Alterations in responses of the internal carotid artery were consistent with changes in carotid and ocular blood flow. Endothelium-dependent relaxation in vitro was impaired by atherosclerosis and was restored toward normal by regression. There was no reduction in intimal area of the atherosclerotic lesion in common carotid and ophthalmic arteries from regression monkeys, despite a marked reduction in cholesteryl ester.
Conclusions: Within a few months of regression of atherosclerosis, endothelial function and hyperresponsiveness of carotid and ocular arteries to serotonin and platelet activation return toward normal. Functional improvement is associated with resorption of lipid from atherosclerotic lesions, but with little reduction in size of intimal lesions.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effect of Short-term Regression of Atherosclerosis on Reactivity of Carotid and Retinal Arteries
- Creators
- Christopher G Sobey - From the Departments of Internal Medicine (C.G.S., F.M.F., D.J.P., D.D.H.) and Pharmacology (F.M.F., D.D.H.), Cardiovascular Research Center (C.G.S., F.M.F., D.J.P., D.D.H.), and Center on Aging (D.D.H.), University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa CityFrank M Faraci - From the Departments of Internal Medicine (C.G.S., F.M.F., D.J.P., D.D.H.) and Pharmacology (F.M.F., D.D.H.), Cardiovascular Research Center (C.G.S., F.M.F., D.J.P., D.D.H.), and Center on Aging (D.D.H.), University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa CityDonald J Piegors - From the Departments of Internal Medicine (C.G.S., F.M.F., D.J.P., D.D.H.) and Pharmacology (F.M.F., D.D.H.), Cardiovascular Research Center (C.G.S., F.M.F., D.J.P., D.D.H.), and Center on Aging (D.D.H.), University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa CityDonald D Heistad - From the Departments of Internal Medicine (C.G.S., F.M.F., D.J.P., D.D.H.) and Pharmacology (F.M.F., D.D.H.), Cardiovascular Research Center (C.G.S., F.M.F., D.J.P., D.D.H.), and Center on Aging (D.D.H.), University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Stroke (1970), Vol.27(5), pp.927-933
- DOI
- 10.1161/01.STR.27.5.927
- PMID
- 8623115
- ISSN
- 0039-2499
- eISSN
- 1524-4628
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/1996
- Academic Unit
- Cardiovascular Medicine; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984040575702771
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