Effect of valsartan on ACAT-1 and PPAR-γ expression in intima with carotid artery endothelial balloon injury in rabbit

Objective: To study the effect of valsartan on ACAT-1 and PPAR-gamma expression after vascular endothelial balloon injury in intimal hyperplasia process. Methods: 24 male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups with 8 in each group. Control group: rabbits were fed with normal diet; Balloon injury group: rabbits were fed with 0.5% cholesterol, 5% lard rabbit feed; balloon injury + valsartan group, rabbits were fed with 0.5% cholesterol, 5% lard rabbit feed added with 10 mg/(kg.d) valsartan gavage. RT-PCR and Western blotting method were used to detect the carotid ACAT-1, PPAR-gamma mRNA and protein expression after 8 weeks of feeding. Results: In carotid artery balloon injury group, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation and intimal hyperplasia were significantly higher 14 d after endothelial injury. In 14 days valsartan treatment group VSMC proliferation and intimal hyperplasia were lighter than the surgery group. Compared with the control group, ACAT-1, PPAR-gamma mRNA and protein were significantly increased in balloon injury group and valsartan group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05); the expression of ACAT-1 mRNA and protein were significantly lower in valsartan group and balloon injury group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The expression of PPAR-gamma mRNA and protein in valsartan group expression was significantly higher than that in the balloon injury group (P < 0.05). The expression level of ACAT-1 and PPAR-gamma mRNA in balloon injury group and valsartan group showed negative correlation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of ACAT-1, PPAR-gamma mRNA and protein content were significantly increased in intimal hyperplasia process after vascular endothelial balloon injury. The effect of valsartan suppressed intimal hyperplasia correlated with the expression of down-regulated ACAT-1 and up-regulated PPAR-gamma.