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Napoli C, Williams-Ignarro S, de Nigris F, Lerman LO, D'Armiento FP, Crimi E, Byrns RE, Casamassimi A, Lanza A, Gombos F, Sica V, Ignarro LJ. Physical training and metabolic supplementation reduce spontaneous atherosclerotic plaque rupture and prolong survival in hypercholesterolemic mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:10479-10484. [PMID: 16801544 PMCID: PMC1502483 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0602774103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Moderate physical exercise (PE) combined with metabolic treatment (MT) (antioxidants and l-arginine) are well known to reduce atherosclerotic lesion formation in hypercholesterolemic mice. However, the long-term beneficial effects on unstable atheroma remain poorly understood. We started early PE training in large groups of 6-week-old hypercholesterolemic mice (by graduated swimming) alone or in combination with nutritional supplementation (1.0% vitamin E added to the chow and 0.05% vitamin C and 6% l-arginine added to the drinking water). Inactive controls did not receive PE. The spontaneous development of atherosclerotic plaque rupture (associated with advanced atherosclerosis) and survival rates were evaluated. Moderate PE elicited an increase in plasma levels of nitric oxide. Early combined treatment with PE and MT in the hypercholesterolemic mice significantly reduced lesions (also detected noninvasively at 10 months) and spontaneous atherosclerotic plaque rupture and prolonged survival more effectively than each intervention alone. Thus, early concerted actions of MT and PE improve the natural history of atherosclerotic lesions and reduce the plaque instability in hypercholesterolemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Napoli
- *Department of General Pathology, Division of Clinical Pathology, Excellence Research Center on Cardiovascular Diseases, and
- Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118
- Research Center on Craniofacial Malformations-MRI, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy
| | | | - Filomena de Nigris
- *Department of General Pathology, Division of Clinical Pathology, Excellence Research Center on Cardiovascular Diseases, and
| | - Lilach O Lerman
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Francesco P D'Armiento
- **Department of Biomorphological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Ettore Crimi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA 01201; and
| | - Russell E Byrns
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1735
| | - Amelia Casamassimi
- *Department of General Pathology, Division of Clinical Pathology, Excellence Research Center on Cardiovascular Diseases, and
| | - Alessandro Lanza
- Research Center on Craniofacial Malformations-MRI, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Fernando Gombos
- Research Center on Craniofacial Malformations-MRI, School of Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples 80138, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Sica
- *Department of General Pathology, Division of Clinical Pathology, Excellence Research Center on Cardiovascular Diseases, and
| | - Louis J Ignarro
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1735
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