Methylflavonolamine protects aorta from atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

The effect of methylflavonolamine [4'-methyl-7-(2-hydroxy-3-isopropylamino-propoxy)-flavone hydrochloride, MFA], synthesized recently by the Shanghai Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, on the development of atherosclerosis was studied in male New Zealand white rabbits fed cholesterol for 10 wk. MFA, 7 mg.kg-1 daily ip, did not significantly alter the serum total cholesterol, HDL, and triglyceride levels, but significantly lowered the aortic cholesterol and calcium contents. Atheromatous lesions covered 53.3 +/- 11.8% of the intimal surface of the aorta in the saline group and 11.3 +/- 2.3% in the MFA group (P < 0.01). We conclude that MFA suppresses cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis.