Effect of Losartan on Inflammatory Factors in Atherosclerotic Rabbits

Aim To investigate the effect and mechanism of losartan on atherosclerosis in rabbits. Methods 32 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:control group,high-cholesterol group and losartan group. The level of weights,lipids and inflammatory factors,such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected before the losartan intervention and two months after the losartan intervention respectively. The content of angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ) was detected on later stage of the experiment. Pathological examination was performed on the ratio of intima thickness to media thickness of the iliac arteries. Results After the atherosclerosis model was set up,the serum lipids and CRP,IL-6 of rabbits in high-cholesterol group and losartan group rised significantly compared to the control group,but there was no statistical difference between two groups. After the losartan intervention,serum CRP,IL-6 were higher in high-cholesterol group and losartan group compared to the control group,but lower in losartan group. Serum lipids of rabbits in high-cholesterol group and losartan group also rised significantly compared to the control group,but there was no statistical difference between them either. The ratio of intima thickness to media thickness were higher in high-cholesterol group and losartan group compared to the control group (P0.05),but the ratio in losartan group was lower than high-cholesterol group. Angiotensin Ⅱ was higher in high-cholesterol group and losartan group compared to the control group. But there was no statistical difference between them. Conclusion Losartan can prevent the development of atherosclerosis due to its action of inhibiting inflammation and the effect of losartan on atherosclerosis may not be related to the lipid metabolism.