Physiology Commons^™

Role Of Lipid-Lowering Therapy In Peripheral Artery Disease, Agastya Deepak Belur, Aangi J. Shah, Salim S. Virani, Mounica Vorla, Dinesh K. Kalra

Office of the Provost

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial, lipoprotein-driven condition that leads to plaque formation within the arterial tree, leading to subsequent arterial stenosis and thrombosis that accounts for a large burden of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally. Atherosclerosis of the lower extremities is called peripheral artery disease and is a major cause of loss in mobility, amputation, and critical limb ischemia. Peripheral artery disease is a common condition with a gamut of clinical manifestations that affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States of America and 200 million people worldwide. The role of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins, such as LDL and remnant …

Circadian Disruption With Constant Light Exposure Exacerbates Atherosclerosis In Male Apolipoproteine-Deficient Mice, Jeffrey M. Chalfant, Deborah A. Howatt, Lisa R. Tannock, Alan Daugherty, Julie S. Pendergast

Biology Faculty Publications

Disruption of the circadian system caused by disordered exposure to light is pervasive in modern society and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms by which this happens are largely unknown. ApolipoproteinE-deficient (ApoE^−/−) mice are studied commonly to elucidate mechanisms of atherosclerosis. In this study, we determined the effects of light-induced circadian disruption on atherosclerosis in ApoE^−/− mice. We first characterized circadian rhythms of behavior, light responsiveness, and molecular timekeeping in tissues from ApoE^−/− mice that were indistinguishable from rhythms in ApoE^+/+ mice. These data showed that ApoE^−/− mice had no inherent circadian …

Serum Amyloid A Facilitates Early Lesion Development In Ldlr-/- Mice, Paulette A. Krishack, Clarissa V. Bhanvadia, John Lukens, Timothy J. Sontag, Maria C. De Beer, Godfrey S. Getz, Catherine A. Reardon

Physiology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder, and several studies have demonstrated a positive association between plasma serum amyloid A (SAA) levels and cardiovascular disease risk. The aim of the study was to examine whether SAA has a role in atherogenesis, the underlying basis of most cardiovascular disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice globally deficient in acute-phase isoforms Saa1 and Saa2 (Saa^-/-) were crossed to Ldlr^-/- mice (Saa^-/-Ldlr^-/-). Saa^-/-Ldlr^-/- mice demonstrated a 31% reduction in lesional area in the ascending aorta but not in the aortic root or innominate …

Characterization Of Secretory Sphingomyelinase Activity, Lipoprotein Sphingolipid Content And Ldl Aggregation In Ldlr-/- Mice Fed On A High-Fat Diet, Gergana M. Deevska, Manjula Sunkara, Andrew J. Morris, Mariana N. Nikolova‑Karakashian

Physiology Faculty Publications

The propensity of LDLs (low-density lipoproteins) for aggregation and/or oxidation has been linked to their sphingolipid content, specifically the levels of SM (sphingomyelin) and ceramide. To investigate this association in vivo, ldlr (LDL receptor)-null mice (ldlr-/-) were fed on a modified (atherogenic) diet containing saturated fats and cholesterol. The diet led to significantly elevated SM content in all serum lipoproteins. In contrast, ceramide increased only in the LDL particles. MS-based analyses of the lipid acyl chain composition revealed a marked elevation in C16:0 fatty acid in SM and ceramide, consistent with the prevalence of palmitic acid in the modified diet. …

Atherosclerosis And Plaque Rupture: An Update, M N. Afzal, S A. Saeed, B H. Shah

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

No abstract provided.