Beschreibung:
<jats:p>The protective barrier between flowing blood and the vessel wall is formed by endothelial glycocalyx.</jats:p><jats:p>We investigated the effect of chronic damage to glycocalyx through enzymatic degradation of its major component hyaluronan on atherosclerosis progression.</jats:p><jats:p>Male ApoE‐KO mice (14 wks) received 10 U/hr of active or inactivated hyaluronidase intravenously via an osmotic minipump for 4 wks, after being on a Western diet for 6 wks. Systemic glycocalyx volume (Vg) was estimated by tracer dilution techniques using labeled erythrocytes and 40kDa dextran. We are evaluating atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic root and arch.</jats:p><jats:p>ApoE‐KO tolerated chronic infusion with hyaluronidase well. Within 4 wks Vg was reduced to 9.1 ± 8.9 ml/kg (n=11) as compared to Vg before infusion of 16.0 ± 4.8 ml/kg (n=12, p=0.03) and inactive hyaluronidase infusion of 12.1 ± 5.3 ml/kg (n=6, ns). Diet for 6 wks resulted in fatty streak formation within the aortic root (lesion area 0.5 ± 0.0 mm<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>). Infusion of hyaluronidase resulted in advanced lesions (area 1.3 ± 0.2 mm<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>) with intimal thickening, cholesterol accumulation and necrotic cores.</jats:p><jats:p>These preliminary results suggest a possible association between reduced glycocalyx and atherogenic acceleration.</jats:p><jats:p>Supported by NHF 2005T037 to H. Vink and 2006B08 to E. Stroes</jats:p>