Prostaglandin E1 decreases human arterial accumulation of radiolabeled apo B-containing lipoproteins in vivo.

OBJECTIVE

An increased apo B-containing lipoprotein influx and cholesterol ester accumulation in arteries are well-known events in human atherogenesis. In vitro and experimental animal studies have provided evidence of a beneficial effect of PGE1 on both vascular apo B-containing lipoprotein accumulation and cholesterol ester content.

METHODS

We examined the effect of PGE1 (administered via an intravenous portable infusion pump at a rate of 5 ng PGE1 kg-1.min-1 for 5 days a week, 6 h daily, over a total of 5 weeks) in ten patients (eight males, two females) on 123I-apo B-containing lipoprotein accumulation into the large arteries in vivo. Apo B-containing lipoprotein isolation was carried out by immunoaffinity chromatography and radiolabeling with the iodine monochloride method. 123I-apo B-containing lipoprotein accumulation was imaged and quantified by means of special computer software before and after 5 weeks of PGE1 therapy.

RESULTS

PGE1 led to a significant decrease in maximal arterial apo B-containing lipoprotein retention. The mean decrease in the carotid and femoral arteries in type I lesions amounted to between 16.9% and 30.4%, and in type II lesions between 22.4% and 30.7%, 20 h after injection of radiolabeled apo B-containing lipoprotein. The type of arterial apo B-containing lipoprotein kinetic curves, however, remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that PGE1 decreases the apo B-containing lipoprotein influx in the large arteries and the vascular cholesterol content, suggesting that PGE1 may lead to regression of lipid-rich lesions in human in vivo.