Varenicline aggravates atherosclerotic plaque formation in nicotine-pretreated ApoE knockout mice due to enhanced oxLDL uptake by macrophages through downregulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression

Publication date: Available online 14 November 2019Source: Journal of Pharmacological SciencesAuthor(s): Mitsuhisa Koga, Yuki Kanaoka, Mana Okamoto, Yuki Nakao, Koshun Inada, Saki Takayama, Yasufumi Kataoka, Atsushi YamauchiAbstractVarenicline is a widely used and effective drug for smoking cessation. We previously reported that varenicline aggravates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE KO) mice. However, it remains unknown whether varenicline affects cardiovascular events in patients with nicotine addiction. Here, we examined the effect of varenicline on atherosclerotic plaque formation in nicotine-pretreated ApoE KO mice and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) uptake in nicotine-treated peritoneal macrophages. Varenicline caused significant progression of plaque formation in the whole aorta and aortic root and further accelerated the increased formation of a macrophage-rich plaque area in the aortic root in nicotine-pretreated ApoE KO mice. Varenicline (10 μM) enhanced oxLDL uptake in peritoneal macrophages. Furthermore, this treatment significantly further lowered the decreased protein levels of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter without affecting the expression of scavenger receptors LOX-1 and CD36 in RAW264.7 cells treated with 100 nM nicotine. Varenicline enhanced nicotine-induced oxLDL uptake in macrophages through decreased expression of cholesterol efflux transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 and thereby progressed atherosclerotic plaque formation. Ta...
Source: Journal of Pharmacological Sciences - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research