Effect of colchicine administration on interleukin-1β and nitric oxide expression at the early stage of atherosclerosis in atherosclerosis Wistar rat model.

BACKGROUND

The basic mechanisms underlying early atherosclerosis remain controversial. Several theories centered on lipid accumulation have been proposed, but increasing evidence highlights the central roles of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in the initiation of the disease. Two major processes - chronic lipid-driven injury and maladaptive inflammatory and cellular responses - are closely involved in early atherogenesis and offer potential targets for new management strategies in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of colchicine compared with atorvastatin on the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a key pro-inflammatory cytokine, and nitric oxide (NO), a protective mediator, both of which play important roles at the early stages of atherosclerosis.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This was an in vivo experimental study. A total of 20 male Wistar rats (Rattus novergicus) were divided into 4 groups: the control (normal) group (N); the dyslipidemia group fed an atherogenic diet (DL); the dyslipidemia group receiving both an atherogenic diet and colchicine (DLK); and the dyslipidemia group receiving both an atherogenic diet and atorvastatin (DLA). All kinds of treatment were administered for 14 days.

RESULTS

The results showed that colchicine and atorvastatin were equally effective in terms of IL-1β reduction (p > 0.05). Yet, the data also showed that the NO levels were significantly higher in the DLK group as compared to the DLA group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In the early development of atherosclerosis, colchicine was significantly more effective than atorvastatin in increasing the NO levels and demonstrated a comparable ability to reduce the IL-1β levels. These findings suggest that colchicine may offer superior benefits as a primary preventive therapy in populations at risk for ASCVD.