Cell proliferation in the atherosclerotic plaques of cholesterol-fed rabbits Part 3. Histological and radioautographic observations on glucocorticoids-treated rabbits

Therapeutic manipulation of glucocorticoid metabolism in cardiovascular disease

“…, 1954; Stumpf and Wilens, 1954; Constantinides et al. , 1962) and has subsequently proved to be reproducible in this model (Cavallero et al. , 1976; Bailey and Butler, 1985; Naito et al.…”

“…The mechanism(s) underlying this anti‐atherosclerotic effect of glucocorticoids is (are) incompletely understood. Suggestions include: inhibition of DNA synthesis in the cellular component of lesions (in fat‐fed rabbits; Cavallero et al. , 1976); inhibition of inflammatory cell proliferation (Asai et al.…”

Glucocorticoids and Cardiovascular Disease

“…Despite their effects to induce cardiovascular risk factors, studies in animals have suggested that medium-term GR-agonist therapy is atheroprotective in mice (89) and rabbits (90,91), as judged by markers such as aortic cholesterol content or cellular proliferation indices. Conversely, aldosterone reportedly increases, and MR antagonists decrease, atherogenesis in mice (92,93).…”

Intra-vascular glucocorticoid metabolism as a modulator of vascular structure and function

“…Consequently, inhibition of either the inflammatory response [126] or VSMC proliferation/migration [127] inhibits lesion development in a variety of models. Since glucocorticoids (dexamethasone) can inhibit inflammation and VSMC proliferation [121][122][123] and migration [128], it is not surprising that their potential as anti-atherosclerotic [129] and antirestenotic agents [130] has been investigated [6]. It is also possible, however, that the action of glucocorticoids on the vessel wall is deleterious in patients with vascular disease.…”