Atherosclerosis prevention by a fish oil-rich diet in apoE−/− mice is associated with a reduction of endothelial adhesion molecules

• Published in: Atherosclerosis Vol. 201; no. 2; pp. 306 - 317
• Main Authors: Casós, Kelly, Sáiz, M. Puy, Ruiz-Sanz, J. Ignacio, Mitjavila, M. Teresa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.12.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta; Aortic root; ApoE-knockout mice; Apolipoproteins E - genetics; Apolipoproteins E - physiology; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Atherosclerosis - prevention & control; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood. Blood coagulation. Reticuloendothelial system; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cardiovascular; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Cholesterol - metabolism; Corn Oil; Endothelial adhesion molecules; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Fish Oils; Gene Expression Regulation; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; n-3 PUFA; Nitrotyrosine; Nuclear factor-κB; Oxidative Stress; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - metabolism; n-3 PUFA; Atherosclerosis; Aortic root; Aorta; Endothelial adhesion molecules; Nitrotyrosine; Nuclear factor-κB; ApoE-knockout mice; Rodentia; Cardiovascular disease; Fish oil; Artery; Vascular disease; Prevention; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Mouse; Blood vessel; Animal; Circulatory system; Nuclear factor-KB
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.02.033

Abstract Dietary intake of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) reduces the risk for atherosclerosis. Here we examine the effect of a fish oil (FO)-rich diet on the development of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE−/− ) mice, which are vulnerable because of their high plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, focusing on the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules. Mice were fed semi-purified diets containing 5% corn oil (CO), rich in n-6 PUFA or menhaden oil as FO, rich in long-chain n-3 PUFA and 0.15% cholesterol after reaching 4 weeks of age, and they were killed when they were 4 weeks, 12 weeks, 18 weeks or 24 weeks old. Oxidative stress in plasma and aortic tissue was not increased in mice fed the FO-rich diet, despite its high peroxidizability index. A reduction of stenosis and intrusion at the aortic root, a decrease in the surface area of atherosclerotic lesions at the aorta and a decrease in P-selectin, vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression were observed in FO-fed mice compared to CO-fed mice. It seems likely that the reduced expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 could be transcriptionally regulated by nuclear factor-κB in the aortic root. The protective effect of FO against atherosclerosis was more evident at early ages. In conclusion, FO reduces adhesion molecule expression in lesions in apoE−/− mice. Because these molecules are involved in lesion progression the effect of FO may explain the observed decrease in atherogenesis.