Inhibitory effect of interferon α-2b on atherosclerosis

AIM:To evaluate the effects of interfer α-2b (IFN α-2b ) on atherosclerosis(AS).METHODS:Thirty normal male rabbits were randomly divided into five groups:normal controlgroup(NCgroup,n＝6),atherosclerosisgroup(AS group, n=6),virus (herpesvirus Ⅰ,HSV-Ⅰ)infected atherosclerosis group(V group,n＝6), interferon (interferon α-2b) intervented atherosclerosis group (IFN-Ⅰgroup,n＝6),interferon intervented and virus infected atherosclerosis group (IFN-Ⅱ group, n＝6). Serum lipids were measured and the thoracic aortas were sampled for histopathological, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization study.RESULTS:The aorta atherosclerosis areas of NC, IFN-Ⅰ and IFN-Ⅱ groups were lower than that of AS group significantly, respectively, and the area of AS group was lower than that of V group (P＜0.05). Platelet-derived growth factor B-chain (PDGF-β) expression was reduced both in IFN-Ⅰand IFN-Ⅱ groups(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Our data provide evidence that virus could cause atherosclerosis, and the AS formation could be inhibited by IFN α-2b through its antivirus effect and inhibitory effect on PDGF-β and VSMC proliferation.