[Study on the correlation of the levels of serum IFN-γ and RANTES and rabbit vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque].

Aim: To investigate the correlation between the levels of serum IFN-γ and RANTES (regulated upon on activation on normal T cell expressed and secreted) and rabbit atherosclerotic plaque stability.

Methods: 30 male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group, stable atherosclerotic plaque group(AS group) and vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque group(VAP group), with 10 rabbits in a group. The control group was given normal diet while the AS group and the VAP group were given high-fat diet for 12 weeks. According to literature method pharmacological triggers inducing the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque formation in the VAP group. Fasting blood was extracted from ear medium artery about 2 mL at week-0 and the 12th week, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were detected by enzymatic method, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was calculated by Friedwald formula. All animals were executed after they were fed by injected excessive Phenobarbital sodium at ear vein for 12 weeks. Before executed, ear medium artery blood was taken to detect the levels of serum IFN-γ and RANTES by ELISA.The corrected plaque area and vulnerability index were calculated by Masson staining and its correlation coefficient with inflammatory factors were measured.

Results: The level of serum IFN-γ at the AS group and the VAP group, compared with the control group, was significantly increased(all P<0.01), at the same time, the level of serum IFN-γ in the VAP group was significantly higher than in the AS group(P<0.01). About the level of serum RANTES there was no obvious difference when the AS group was compared with the control group(P>0.05). The level of serum RANTES in the VAP group was higher than in the AS group and the control group(all P<0.01). Regarding corrected plaque area and vulnerability Index, the VAP group was significantly higher than the AS group (P<0.01). In the AS group and the VAP group, the serum concentrations of IFN-γand RANTES exhibited a positive correlation with corrected plaque area and vulnerability Index (P<0.05).

Conclusion: IFN-γ and RANTES may be inflammatory marker about atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque, and their serum concentration can be used to evaluate the atherosclerotic plaque instability.