Attenuation of Accumulation of Neointimal Lipid by Pioglitazone in Mice Genetically Deficient in Insulin Receptor Substrate-2 and Apolipoprotein E

Abstract

Rupture of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques that are characterized by extensive neointimal accumulation of lipid is a cause of acute coronary syndromes. To identify whether insulin resistance alters atherogenesis, we characterized the composition of atherosclerotic lesions in the proximal aortas in mice deficient in apolipoprotein E (ApoE−/-) and in ApoE−/- mice in which insulin resistance was intensified by a concomitant heterozygous deficiency in insulin receptor substrate type 2 (IRS2+/- ApoE−/- mice). In addition, we characterized the effect of an insulin sensitizer, pioglitazone, on the atherogenesis in IRS2+/- ApoE−/- mice. The extent of the aortic intima occupied by lesion was increased in the IRS2+/- ApoE−/- compared with ApoE−/- mice (79 ± 3% compared with 68 ± 8%, p<0.05). Treatment with pioglitazone decreased the neointimal content of lipid in 20-week-old mice from 50 ± 6% to 30 ± 7%, p=0.005 and decreased the cellularity reflected by the multisection cross-sectional areas of lesions comprising cells in atheroma from 24 ± 1% to 19 ± 3%, p=0.018. Accordingly, genetically induced intensification of insulin resistance increases atheroma formation. Furthermore, attenuation of insulin resistance by treatment with pioglitazone decreases accumulation of lipid in the neointima.