[Upregulated PGC-NRF-mtTFA expressions contributed to the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits fed with a high fat diet].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the relationship between PPAR coactivator 1 (PGC-1), nuclear respiratory factor (NRF), mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA) expressions of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and development of atherosclerosis in a rabbit model.

METHODS:

Atherosclerotic model was established by feeding the rabbits with high-fat diet for 4, 8 and 12 weeks (n = 10 each). Another 8 rabbits fed with normal diet served as normal controls. Intima-media ratio, mRNA and protein expressions of PGC-1, NRF, mtTFA and SMemb, a marker for synthetic VSMC, were detected on aorta specimens.

RESULTS:

With the blood lipid increased, the intima-media ratio rose from (0.031 +/- 0.010) microm up to (0.814 +/- 0.258) microm during 12 weeks. Increasing SMemb means that synthetic VSMC grew more and more. The expressions of PGC-1 became significant after 4 weeks (P < 0.01), while that of NRF-1 and mtTFA rose significantly after 8 weeks (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

The PGC-NRF-mtTFA pathway might play a critical role in VSMC proliferation and development of atherosclerosis.

• Authors: Wen-sheng Wu, Gui-nan Liu, Hai-yang Huo, Feng-rong Wang, Xian Zheng, Dan Mao
• Journal: Zhonghua xin xue guan bing za zhi (Zhonghua Xin Xue Guan Bing Za Zhi) Vol. 36 Issue 7 Pg. 646-50 (Jul 2008) ISSN: 0253-3758 [Print] China
• PMID: 19100097 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA-Binding Proteins
• Lipids
• Mitochondrial Proteins
• Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1
• Trans-Activators
• Transcription Factors
• mitochondrial transcription factor A

Topics

• Animals
• Atherosclerosis (blood, metabolism, pathology)
• DNA-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Female
• Lipids (blood)
• Male
• Mitochondrial Proteins (metabolism)
• Muscle, Smooth, Vascular (metabolism)
• Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1 (metabolism)
• Rabbits
• Trans-Activators (metabolism)
• Transcription Factors (metabolism)