Activated nuclear factor-κB is present in the coronary vasculature in experimental hypercholesterolemia

• Published in: Atherosclerosis 2000, Vol.148 (1), p.23-30
• Main Authors: Wilson, Stephanie H, Caplice, Noel M, Simari, Robert D, Holmes, David R, Carlson, Paula J, Lerman, Amir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Endothelial dysfunction; Hypercholesterolemia; Nuclear factor-κB
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9150(99)00211-7

Background : Experimental hypercholesterolemia (HC) is characterized by a decrease in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and cellular proliferation. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcriptional factor which plays a coordinating role in inflammation and cellular proliferation and may be involved in early atherosclerosis. We examined whether activated NF-κB was present in experimental hypercholesterolemia in the coronary vasculature in association with a decrease in NO bioavailability. Methods: A total of 14 juvenile domestic crossbred pigs were placed on a HC diet and six pigs on a normal diet for 10–12 weeks. A monoclonal antibody to the activated form of the p65 subunit of NF-κB was used to detect immunoreactivity in coronary artery sections. Coronary tissue homogenates were analyzed for activated NF-κB and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) using Western blotting. In vitro coronary endothelium-dependent relaxation was performed in response to bradykinin, as a measure of NO bioavailability. Results: Intimal staining for activated NF-κB was present in 12/14 HC pigs as compared with 0/6 controls ( P