LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for the A3 adenosine receptor, ameliorates the development of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia in apolipoprotein E knock-out mice
2018
Park, J.G., Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, Republic of Korea | Jeong, S.J., Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA | Yu, J., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Kim, G., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Jeong, L.S., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Oh, G.T., Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Lipid-lowering agents have been developed in order to treat hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, indicating a need to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment agents. Adenosine receptors (ARs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, ischemia, and inflammatory diseases. This study assessed whether LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for A₃ AR, can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out (ApoE-/- ) mice who are fed a western diet. Plaque formation was significantly lower in ApoE-/- mice administered LJ-1888 than in mice not administered LJ-1888, without any associated liver damage. LJ-1888 treatment of ApoE-/- mice prevented western diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by markedly reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Reduced hypercholesterolemia in ApoE-/- mice administered LJ-1888 was associated with the enhanced expression of genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for A₃ AR, may be a novel candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.
显示更多 [+] 显示较少 [-]