Imaging of aortic atherosclerotic lesions by (125)I-LDL, (125)I-oxidized-LDL, (125)I-HDL and (125)I-BSA.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to compare the accumulation of (125)I-labeled low-density lipoproteins (LDL), oxidized LDL (oxLDL), HDL and BSA in advanced atherosclerotic lesions of apoE-deficient mice.

METHODS

(125)I-lipoproteins or (125)I-BSA were injected into the tail vein of apoE-deficient mice. Blood clearance of (125)I-lipoproteins and (125)I-BSA and their accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions were assayed.

RESULTS

Blood clearance of (125)I-LDL and (125)I-HDL was moderate, and approximately 30% of the injected lipoproteins were present in plasma 24 h following injection. oxLDL was removed much faster from plasma, and less than 10% of (125)I-oxLDL was present in the circulation 30 min after (125)I-oxLDL injection. The clearance of (125)I-BSA from the circulation was slower than the lipoprotein clearance. The highest accumulation of LDL, oxLDL, HDL and BSA was detected in atherosclerotic lesions in the aortic arch and abdominal aorta, while lower accumulation was detected in the less atherosclerotic descending thoracic aorta.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that both (125)I-HDL and (125)I-BSA as well as (125)I-LDL are accumulated in atherosclerotic plaques and that they can be used for the detection of atherosclerotic lesions.