EFFECTIVENESS OF GRANULOCYTE COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR IN REDUCTION OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS IN RABBIT

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the reduction of atherosclerotic lesions in a rabbit animal model.

Methodology: In this experimental study, 12 New Zealand rabbits were placed on normal regimen diet supplemented with 2% wt/wt of cholesterol for 3 months. Then the rabbits were assigned randomly to two groups: six rabbits received G-CSF 100 μg/kg/day subcutaneously for 7 days and six rabbits were considered as control group. Blood lipid profile and size of coronary artery lu- men and atherosclerotic plaque were compared between the two groups.

Results: In each group the levels of triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, high den- sity lipoprotein (HDL) and lipoprotein A (LPA) significantly increased after 90 days of feeding with cholesterol rich regimen. However, the levels of TG (465.66 ±81.12 vs. 499.00 ±129.96, p =0.60), cholesterol (2449.83 ±165.68 vs. 2455.00 ±143.58, p =0.95), HDL (124.33 ±8.93 vs. 125.00 ±5.32, p =0.87) and LPA (13.16 ±1.72 vs. 14.16 ±2.63, p =0.45) did not show significant difference between the two groups. Seven days after treatment with G-CSF the difference between two groups in size of lumen (p =0.20) and plaque (p =0.12) was not significant.

Conclusion: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor did not significantly alter the blood lipid profile or the lumen/plaque size in the animal model studied.