Inhibition of atherosclerosis and myocardial lesions in the JCR:LA-cp rat by beta, beta'-tetramethylhexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16).

Abstract

Atherosclerosis-prone, insulin-resistant JCR:LA-cp male rats were treated from 6 weeks to 39 weeks of age with beta,beta'-tetramethylhexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16). Body weights were reduced (13%, P < .001) at 36 weeks without any accompanying decrease in food consumption. The treatment did not cause any significant change in plasma glucose or fasting insulin concentrations. There was a significant decrease in the extreme hyperplasia of the islets of Langerhans (38%, P < .05). The marked VLDL hypertriglyceridemia was decreased by 70% (P < .001), with an accompanying significant reduction in cholesterol concentrations. The severity of raised atherosclerotic lesions on the aortic arch was very markedly reduced (P < .01) in treated rats. This was accompanied by a reduction (P < .01) in the incidence of ischemic myocardial lesions. We conclude that long-term (33 weeks) MEDICA 16 treatment of an animal model for the obesity/insulin-resistant/hyperlipidemic syndrome not only markedly improved lipid metabolism, but also inhibited the development of advanced cardiovascular disease.

• Authors: J C Russell, R M Amy, S E Graham, P J Dolphin, G O Wood, J Bar-Tana
• Journal: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol) Vol. 15 Issue 7 Pg. 918-23 (Jul 1995) ISSN: 1079-5642 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7600124 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Lipids
• Palmitic Acids
• MEDICA 16

Topics

• Animals
• Aorta (pathology)
• Arteriosclerosis (pathology, prevention & control)
• Body Weight
• Cardiomyopathies (pathology, prevention & control)
• Endothelium, Vascular (pathology)
• Lipids (blood)
• Macrophages (pathology)
• Male
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
• Palmitic Acids (therapeutic use)
• Pancreas (pathology)
• Rats
• Rats, Mutant Strains