Abstract
Background and Aims Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), the main component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), not only promotes reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in atherosclerosis but also increases insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells, suggesting that interventions which raise HDL levels may be beneficial in diabetes-associated cardiovascular disease (CVD). Previously, we showed that TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) deletion in Apolipoprotein Eknockout (Apoe−/−) mice results in diabetes-accelerated atherosclerosis in response to a “Western” diet. Here, we sought to identify whether reconstituted HDL (rHDL) could improve features of diabetes-associated CVD in Trail−/−Apoe−/− mice. Methods and Results Trail−/−Apoe−/− and Apoe−/− mice on a “Western” diet for 12 weeks received 3 weekly infusions of either PBS (vehicle) or rHDL (containing ApoA-I (20 mg/kg) and 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl phosphatidylcholine). Administration of rHDL reduced total plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels in Trail−/−Apoe−/− but not in Apoe−/− mice, with no change in weight gain observed. rHDL treatment also improved glucose clearance in response to insulin and glucose tolerance tests. Immunohistological analysis of pancreata revealed increased insulin expression/production and a reduction in macrophage infiltration in mice with TRAIL deletion. Furthermore, atherosclerotic plaque size in Trail−/−Apoe−/− mice was significantly reduced associating with increased expression of the M2 macrophage marker CD206, suggesting HDL's involvement in the polarization of macrophages. rHDL also increased vascular mRNA expression of RCT transporters, ABCA1 and ABCG1, in Trail−/−Apoe−/− but not in Apoe−/− mice. Conclusions. rHDL improves features of diabetes-associated atherosclerosis in mice. These findings support the therapeutic potential of rHDL in the treatment of atherosclerosis and associated diabetic complications. More studies are warranted to understand rHDL's mechanism of action.
Highlights
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including atherosclerosis
Epidemiological studies have shown that low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels correlate with increased risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease [40, 41], preclinical and clinical studies aimed at raising HDL levels as a potential therapeutic to reduce diabetes and cardiovascular complications have been conflicting [42]
We sought to identify whether reconstituted HDL (rHDL) could improve features of diabetes-associated atherosclerosis using Western diet-fed Trail-/-Apoe-/- mice
Summary
Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including atherosclerosis. ApoA-I improved insulin sensitivity with decreased systemic and hepatic inflammation in mice fed a high-fat diet [18] These suggest that interventions which raise HDL levels may be beneficial in lowering cholesterol, reducing atherosclerosis, and improving glucose homeostasis in diabetes. TRAIL deficiency in mice on a “Western” style high-fat diet for 12 w markedly accelerated atherosclerosis and promoted features of diet-induced diabetes including weight gain, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction [25]. Using this mouse model of physiologically induced diabetes-associated atherosclerosis, we sought to determine the effects of reconstituted HDL (rHDL) on improving atherosclerosis and features of diabetes
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