Background Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is associated with high case fatality rates, and risk of rupture increases with the AAA diameter. Heme oxygenase‐1 (gene HMOX1 , protein HO‐1) is a stress‐induced protein and induction has protective effects in the vessel wall. HMOX1 −/− mice are more susceptible to angiotensin II‐induced AAA formation, but the regulation in human nonruptured and ruptured AAA is only poorly understood. Our hypothesis proposed that HO‐1 is reduced in AAA and lowering is inversely associated with the AAA diameter. Methods and Results AAA walls from patients undergoing elective open repair (eAAA) or surgery because of rupture (rAAA) were analyzed for aortic HMOX1 /HO‐1 expression by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Aortas from patients with aortic occlusive disease served as controls. HMOX1 /HO‐1 expression was 1.1‐ to 7.6‐fold upregulated in eAAA and rAAA. HO‐1 expression was 3‐fold higher in eAAA specimen with a diameter >84.4 mm, whereas HO‐1 was not different in rAAA. Other variables that are known for associations with AAA and HO‐1 induction were tested. In eAAA, HO‐1 expression was negatively correlated with aortic collagen content and oxidative stress parameters H 2 O 2 release, oxidized proteins, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Serum HO‐1 concentrations were analyzed in patients with eAAA, and maximum values were found in an aortic diameter of 55 to 70 mm with no further increase >70 mm, compared with <55 mm. Conclusions Aortic HO‐1 expression was increased in eAAA and rAAA. HO‐1 increased with the severity of disease but was additionally connected to less oxidative stress and vasoprotective mechanisms.

Background: Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors slows the progression of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress- and hemin-induced enzyme providing cytoprotection against oxidative stress when overexpressed. However, nothing is known about the effects of cardiometabolic standard therapies on HO-1 expression in aortic walls in patients with end-stage AAA. Methods: The effects of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), beta-blockers, diuretics, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and therapeutic anticoagulation on HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions were analyzed in AAA patients using multivariate logistic regression analysis and comparison of monotherapy. Results: Analysis of monotherapy revealed that HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions were higher in patients on diuretics and lower in patients on statin therapy. Tests on combinations of antihypertensive medications demonstrated that ACE inhibitors and diuretics, ARBs and diuretics, and beta-blockers and diuretics were associated with increase in HO-1 mRNA expression. ASA and therapeutic anticoagulation were not linked to HO-1 expression. Conclusion: Diuretics showed the strongest association with HO-1 expression, persisting even in combination with other antihypertensive medications. Hence, changes in aortic HO-1 expression in response to different medical therapies and their effects on vessel wall degeneration should be analyzed in future studies.

Background Indication for prophylactic surgical abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair depends on the maximal aortic diameter. The lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) is the major receptor for uptake of oxidized low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and is implicated in atherosclerosis. A soluble form of LOX‐1 (sLOX‐1) has been discussed as a novel biomarker in coronary artery disease and stroke. Herein, we assessed the regulation of aortic LOX‐1 as well as the diagnostic and risk stratification potential of sLOX‐1 in patients with AAA. Methods and Results Serum sLOX‐1 was assessed in a case–control study in AAA (n=104) and peripheral artery disease (n=104). sLOX‐1 was not statistically different between AAA and peripheral artery disease but was higher in AAA (β=1.28, P =0.04) after adjusting for age, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, prescription of statins, β‐blockers, ACE inhibitors, and therapeutic anticoagulation. sLOX‐1 was not associated with the aortic diameter, AAA volume, or the thickness of the intraluminal thrombus. Aortic LOX‐1 mRNA expression tended to be higher in AAA when compared with disease, and expression was positively associated with cleaved caspase‐3, smooth muscle actin, collagen, and macrophage content. Conclusions In AAA, sLOX‐1 was differently affected by age, cardiometabolic diseases, and corresponding medical therapies. Comparison with nonatherosclerotic disease would be beneficial to further elucidate the diagnostic potential of sLOX‐1, although it was not useful for risk stratification. Aneurysmal LOX‐1 mRNA expression was increased and positively associated with smooth muscle cells and collagen content, suggesting that LOX‐1 is eventually not deleterious in human AAA and could counteract AAA rupture.

No abstract