Regression of inflammation in atherosclerosis by the LXR agonist R211945: a noninvasive assessment and comparison with atorvastatin.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to noninvasively detect the anti-inflammatory properties of the novel liver X receptor agonist R211945.

Background: R211945 induces reversal cholesterol transport and modulates inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques. We aimed to characterize with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) and dynamic contrast-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (DCE-CMR) inflammation and neovascularization, respectively, in atherosclerotic plaques with R211945 treatment compared with atorvastatin treatment and a control.

Pioglitazone modulates vascular inflammation in atherosclerotic rabbits noninvasive assessment with FDG-PET-CT and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

Objectives: We sought to determine the antiatherosclerotic properties of pioglitazone using multimethod noninvasive imaging techniques.

Background: Inflammation is an essential component of vulnerable or high-risk atheromas. Pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist, possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties.