Effects of ibrolipim against atherosclerosis in minipigs

AIM: To explore the application mechanism of NO-1886 (ibrolipim), a synthetic compound, improving dyslipidemia and inhibiting atherosclerosis in Guizhou minipigs fed with high fat/high sucrose diet. METHODS: Fifteen Chinese Guizhou minipigs were randomized into three groups with similar body weight ［(n=5 in normal control group (CD); n=5 in high fat/high sucrose group (HFSD); n=5 in high fat/high sucrose supplemented ibrolipim group （HFSD+ibrolipim)］. Blood samples were withdrawn from the eyehole sinus venosus of the animals at the end of each month after fasting overnight. The animals were sacrificed at the end of 8 months. The concentrations of cholesterol ester in plasma HDL were analyzed by HPLC. The aortic fatty streak-lesions were quantified following lipid staining with Sudan IV. Lipid droplets in liver were observed by Oil red O staining. RESULTS: Compared with CD, fasting plasma TC, TG and FFA levels of HFSD were elevated significantly. The aortic fatty streak-lesions were clearly presented in the animals’ aortas. The intima became rougher and thicker. A lot of lipoid foam cells migrated to regions of intima and smooth muscle cells, which associated with the injuries of internal elastic lamina. Extensive fat deposited in the liver were observed. Supplementing of 1.0% ibrolipim into high fat/high sucrose diet induced the decrease in plasma TG and FFA concentrations and an increase in plasma HDL-C concentration compared with HFSD. A little fat deposited in the liver were observed. CONCLUSION: ibrolipim prevents AS in high fat/high sucrose diet feeding minipigs through decreasing the plasma TG and elevating the plasma HDL-C.