The role of cytokines, adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors in atherosclerosis progression: the effect of Atorvastatin

Inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the role of inflammatory cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and toll-like receptors in atherosclerosis. Forty local breed domestic male rabbits were divided randomly into 4 groups, 10 rabbits each. Group I was the control group, group II received a high cholesterol diet, group III received the drug solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and group IV received Atorvastatin (3.5 mg/kg/day). Blood samples were collected at 0 times, 5 weeks, and at the end of 10 weeks. TLRs expression on monocyte was measured by flow cytometry, IL-10, IL-17, IL-1β, intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM), and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) were measured by ELISA. In group II, a high cholesterol diet led to a statistically significant elevation of lipids profile (TC, TG, and LDL) at both 5 weeks and 10 weeks compared to the control. The expression of TLRs was also increased compared to the control (13.53±2.5 to 25.79±6.5). The intimal thickness increased from 103.46±13.85 to 248.43±11.11. IL-17 increased significantly from 3.4±0.4 to 7.7±1.00, and IL-1β increased from 1.04±0.19 to 9.66±1.4 (P 0.05) at 10 weeks. ICAM and VCAM increased from 1.7±0.16 to 8.2±0.74 and from 0.89±0.07 to 5.2±0.45, respectively. Atorvastatin significantly reduced TLRs at 10 weeks to 21.98±3.4 and intimal thickness to 191.6±15.59. IL-17, IL-1β, ICAM, and VCAM were significantly reduced by Atorvastatin. Cytokines, cellular adhesion molecules, and probably TLRs have a role in the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.