Abstract
Background and aims: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is progressive, classified by stages of severity. Alterations in Ca2+ regulation within coronary smooth muscle (CSM) cells in metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been observed, but there is a lack of data in relatively early (mild) and late (severe) stages of CAD. The current study examined alterations in CSM Ca2+ regulation at several time points during CAD progression. Methods: MetS was induced by feeding an excess calorie atherogenic diet for 6, 9, or 12 months and compared to age-matched lean controls. CAD was measured with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Intracellular Ca2+ was assessed with fura-2. Results: IVUS revealed that the extent of atherosclerotic CAD correlated with the duration on atherogenic diet. Fura-2 imaging of intracellular Ca2+ in CSM cells revealed heightened Ca2+ signaling at 9 months on diet, compared to 6 and 12 months, and to age-matched lean controls. Isolated coronary artery rings from swine fed for 9 months followed the same pattern, developing greater tension to depolarization, compared to 6 and 12 months (6 months = 1.8 ± 0.6 g, 9 months = 5.0 ± 1.0 g, 12 months = 0.7 ± 0.1 g). CSM in severe atherosclerotic plaques showed dampened Ca2+ regulation and decreased proliferation compared to CSM from the wall. Conclusions: These CSM Ca2+ regulation data from several time points in CAD progression and severity help to resolve the controversy regarding up-vs. down-regulation of CSM Ca2+ regulation in previous reports. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that alterations in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contribute to progression of atherosclerotic CAD in MetS.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-9 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Atherosclerosis |
Volume | 249 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jun 2016 |
Keywords
- Calcium regulation
- Ossabaw swine
- Proliferation
- Smooth muscle phenotype