Suppressive effects of irbesartan on inflammation and apoptosis in atherosclerotic plaques of apoE-/- mice: Molecular imaging with 14C-FDG and99mTc-Annexin A5

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the effects of irbesartan on inflammation and apoptosis in atherosclerotic plaques by histochemical examination and molecular imaging using 14C-FDG and 99mTc-annexin A5. Background: Irbesartan has a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activation property in addition to its ability to block the AT1 receptor. Accordingly, irbesartan may exert further anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in atherosclerotic plaques. However, such effects of irbesartan have not been fully investigated. Molecular imaging using 18F-FDG and 99mTc-annexin A5 is useful for evaluating inflammation and apoptosis in atherosclerotic plaques. Methods: Female apoE-/- mice were treated with irbesartan-mixed (50 mg/kg/day) or irbesartan-free (control) diet for 12 weeks (n = 11/group). One week after the treatment, the mice were co-injected with 14C-FDG and 99mTc-annexin A5, and cryostat sections of the aortic root were prepared. Histochemical examination with Movat's pentachrome (plaque size), Oil Red O (lipid deposition), Mac-2 (macrophage infiltration), and TUNEL (apoptosis) stainings were performed. Dual-tracer autoradiography was carried out to evaluate the levels of 14C-FDG and 99mTc-annexin A5 in plaques (%IDxkg). In vitro experiments were performed to investigate the mechanism underlying the effects. Results: Histological examination indicated that irbesartan treatment significantly reduced plaque size (to 56.4%±11.1% of control), intra-plaque lipid deposition (53.6%±20.2%) and macrophage infiltration (61.9%±20.8%) levels, and the number of apoptotic cells (14.5%±16.6%). 14C-FDG (43.0%±18.6%) and 99mTc-annexin A5 levels (45.9%±16.8%) were also significantly reduced by irbesartan treatment. Irbesartan significantly suppressed MCP-1 mRNA expression in TNF-α stimulated THP-1 monocytes (64.8%±8.4% of un-treated cells). PPARγ activation was observed in cells treated with irbesartan (134%±36% at 3 μM to 3329%±218% at 81 μM) by a PPARγ reporter assay system. Conclusions: Remissions of inflammation and apoptosis as potential therapeutic effects of irbesartan on atherosclerosis were observed. The usefulness of molecular imaging using 18F-FDG and 99mTc-annexin A5 for evaluating the therapeutic effects of irbesartan on atherosclerosis was also suggested. © 2014 Zhao et al.