Effects of rosiglitazone on rabbit atherosclerosis

We sought to validate magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) for documenting the effects of rosiglitazone on rabbit atherosclerosis and the possible mechanism by treatment on the lesions.24 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into normal group, control group and treatment group.After 4 weeks, all rabbits underwent MRI.After examination, the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs) and level of lipid, glucose, nitric oxide(NO) and superoxide anion(O-2·) were measured.MRI demonstrated the regression of atherosclerotic lesions by rosiglitazone which has good correlation with histopathology.Treatment not only increased the level of EPCs and NO, but also raised the ability of inhibition of O2-·.MRI is a promising noninvasive technology to detect the effects of therapeutic interventions.Rosiglitazone slows the progression of atherosclerosis that may in part attribute to its improvement of mobilization of EPCs and the reduced oxidative stress.