Objective: Triglyceride (TG) accumulation in arterial tissue is associated with the development of cardiovascular disease; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Cilostazol (CLZ), a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3, has antiplatelet and vasodilating effects and may decrease serum TG levels. We examined the effect of CLZ on TG accumulation in the arterial tissue of a rat model of carotid artery ligation.
Methods: Rats were fed normal chow with 0.1% CLZ (CLZ group) or without CLZ (control group) for 4 weeks after unilateral carotid artery ligation near the carotid bifurcation.
Results: At the end of this period, the control group showed 3.3-fold higher TG levels in the ligated carotid artery than in the contralateral artery; however, compared with the contralateral artery, the ligated artery in the CLZ group showed significantly lower levels of TG accumulation but similar serum levels of TG, total cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Furthermore, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry revealed that the ligated carotid artery in both groups had ubiquitous accumulation of TG in the intima, media, and adventitia, along with decreased heme B signals, which was indicative of ischemia. However, heme B signals were less reduced in the CLZ group than in the control group.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that CLZ can inhibit the ubiquitous accumulation of TG in arterial tissues, possibly by ameliorating tissue ischemia. CLZ may be useful in improving arterial tissue hemodynamics and lipid metabolism.
Copyright © 2013 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.