Effects of rosiglitazone on the serum lipids and total antioxidative abilities in atherosclerotic rabbits

Objective: To study the effects of rosiglitazone on the atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits. Method: Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits weighing 1. 8 to 2. 2 kg were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (normal rabbits diet), cholesterol group (cholesterol diet), Rosiglitazone group (cholesterol diet supplemented with rosiglitazone since 10th week). Rabbits in cholesterol group and rosiglitazone group were sequentially fed 1% cholesterol-containing diet for 16 weeks. At the end of the experiment,blood glucose,serum lipids levels, ratio of plaque area to aorta area were measured and total antioxidative abilities were determinated with chroma-tometry. Result: Hypercholesterolemia was successfully induced. After rosiglitazone intervention, level of serum TC, LDL-C, and ratio of plaque area to aorta area had significant difference between cholesterol group and rosiglitazone group ( P 0. 05). Total antioxidative abilities were stronger in rosiglitazone group than those in cholesterol group. Conclusion:Our study showed rosiglitazone had effects on atherosclerotic plaque regression by decreasing levels of TC and LDL and increasing total antioxidative abilities of blood vessel.