Low dose apolipoprotein A-I rescues carotid arteries from inflammation in vivo

Abstract

This study investigates the ability of a single, low dose of apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, the main lipoprotein of high density lipoproteins (HDL), to inhibit acute vascular inflammation in normocholesterolemic New Zealand White rabbits. Acute vascular inflammation was induced in the animals by placing a non-occlusive, silastic collar around the left common carotid artery. The animals (n=5/group) received a single, low dose infusion of saline or lipid-free apoA-I at the time of, or 3 or 9h after collar insertion. The animals were sacrificed 24h post-collar insertion. Inflammatory markers in the artery wall were quantitated immunohistochemically. The saline-treated animals exhibited substantial p..