Effect of miR-467b on atherosclerosis of rats.

Objective: To observe the effect of miR-467b on the atherosclerosis (AS) of rats with apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene knockout (ApoE(-/-)).

Methods: ApoE(-/-) rats were fed with high fat and high cholesterol diet and were randomly divided into group A, group B and group C, with 10 rats in each group. Group A: rats were injected with ApoE agonist through the caudal vein; group B: rats were injected with ApoE antagonist through the caudal vein; group C: as negative control group. Enzyme oxidation method was used to detect the blood lipid levels of rats. Western blotting method was used to detect the aortic lipoprotein lipase (LPL) expression levels of rats. HE staining and oil red O staining were performed to observe the AS lesions and lipid accumulation state.

Results: Compared with group C, blood lipid level, aortic intima and aortic sinus lipid accumulation area ratio, aortic sinus lesion area and LPL expression level in group A significantly reduced; while blood lipid level, aortic intima and aortic sinus lipid accumulation area ratio, aortic sinus lesion area, and LPL expression level in group B significantly increased, with the statistical difference (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: miR-467b can alleviate the AS lesions of ApoE(-/-) rats, and its inhibiting effect on AS may be related to LPL expression.