Influence of probucol on the expression of C-reactive protein and the relationship between C-reactive protein and the stability of plaque in atherosclerotic rabbits

Objective To investigate the expression of C-reactive protein(CRP) and its connection to the stability of plaque on the atherosclerosis rabbit model,and the influence of probucol on the expression of CRP.Methods A total of 20 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control group,high-cholesterol group or probucol group.The control group was raised with normal chow.The high-cholesterol group and probucol group were raised with high-cholesterol food. Four weeks later,the balloon-injured iliac artery angioplasty was performed in rabbits of high-cholesterol group and the probucol group.Probucol(1000 mg/d)was added to each rabbit's daily food after operation in probucol group.Ten weeks later,serum CRP were measured.Then all rabbits were sacrificed,and the iliac arteries were harvested.Pathological changes were observed by HE staining.Results Atherosclerotic plaque was observed in the high-cholesterol group,and thickness of tunica intima was increased in probucol group.Compared with high-cholesterol group,serum level of CRP was decreased in probucol group[(8.10±1.02) mg/L vs.(11.35±2.32) mg/L,P0.05].Conclusions Serum level of CRP increases significantly in the atherosclerosis rabbits,which may have a correlation with the instability of the plaque. Probucol can significantly decrease serum level of CRP.