Objective: To investigate the experimental effect of valsartan on
oxidative stress and the formation of
atherosclerosis in
rabbit.Method: An atherosclerotic rabbit model was established by feeding high cholesterol diet supplemented by bovine serum albumin injection bolus. The rabbits were randomly divided into the control, model, and valsartan treated group,six rabbits in each group. Blood samples were collected at the end of 8 weeks for examination of serum lipid levels and MDA levels; the aortas were harvested for histomorphometry analysis, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1) immunohistochemistry analysis and in situ superoxide detection to reflect the activity of NAD(P)H oxidase.Results: Rabbits fed with high cholestrol diet showed higher serum lipids levels than those fed with normal diet(P<0.01). Treatment with valsartan(10 mg/kg per day) did not alter serum lipids levels. But the serum MDA level and ratio of lesion to intimal area reduced significantly compared witi model group(P<0.05). The expression of VCAM-1 decreased significantly in the valsartan treated group than in the model group(P<0.05).In addition, in situ superoxide detection also show the markedly reduction of superoxide as a result of valsartan treatment.Conclusion: These results indicate that the valsartan treatment can reduce the atherosclerotic progression by inhibiting the NAD(P)H oxidase activity to produce superoxide and downregulating the expression of redox sensitive genes in the downstream, such as VCAM-1.