Mechanisms of atherosclerosis caused by arsenic exposure in animal model

摘要

Chronic arsenic (As) exposure causing increase incident of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases had been demonstrated by many epidemiological studies (Guo et al., 2001; Tseng et al., 2003; Watanabe et al., 2001). Recently, a few clinical and animal studies presented that atherosclerosis was one of the most important causes to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease (Bots et al., 1997; Chambless et al., 1997; Mertens & Holvoet, 2001; O'Leary et al., 1999) and could be a possible cause after chronic As exposure. However, the exact mechanisms are currently under debate. Several reports suggested that the high-cholesterol diet (HCD) resulted in hypercholesterolemia inducing atherosclerosis and many heavy metals were possibly susceptible to HCD-induced atherosclerosis. However, the exact mechanisms of atherosclerosis induced by chronic As exposure either alone or in combination with HCD are currently still unclear. An animal model was set up to evaluate the mechanisms of As-induced atherosclerosis in association with HCD administration.