Genistein Reduces Atherosclerosis In Mice And Related Mechanisms

Objective To investigate the expression of p-NF-kb,p-Akt,VCAM-1 in carotid artery tissue of mice,and to investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of genistein on carotid atherosclerosis in mice.Methods 6 weeks male C57BL6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group,model group,atorvastatin group(10mg/kg/d),genistein group 1(5mg/kg/d)and genistein group 2(20mg/kg/d).The right common carotid artery(CCA)was covered with silicone pipe(diameter= 0.3 mm)for 14 weeks.The morphology observation and lipid droplets distribution of CCA were detected with HE and Oil Red O staining respectively.Total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c)in the serum were determined through the biochemical analysis.p-Akt,p-NF-κB,VCAM-1 was quantitated and positioned with western blotting and immunofluorescence.Results Morphology observation revealed that plaques formed in CCA of model group,while there were more lipid droplets;Conversely,no plaques and less lipid droplets were observed in other groups.The levels of plasma lipids in the control group,genistein group 1,genistein group 2 and atorvastatin group were significantly lower than that in model group(p<0.05).Western blotting demenstrated the expression level of the p-Akt,p-NF-kB and VCAM-1was higher than other four groups(P < 0.01);Immunofluorescence found that in model group and genistein group 1(5mg/kg/d),NF-kB p65 transfered into the nucleus may promote the development of AS;In the corresponding group,the expression trend of p-Akt and p-NF-kB was consistent with western blotting result.Conclusions Genistein can prevent the development of carotid AS by down-regulation the expression of Akt,NF-kB and VCAM-1.