Faculty Member Islamic Azad University- Tabriz Branch Tabriz, Azarbayjan-e Sharqi, Iran
Background: Large mature or immature lipid core (atheroma) within a thin- fibrous cap, is called vulnerable atheromatous plaque. Plaque rupture leads to arterial thromboembolism. The management of vulnerable atheromatous plaque reduces the risk of ischemic disease and its related deaths.
Aims: In this study, we developed an experimental combined laser and sonoporation therapy system and investigated its effectiveness on vulnerable atheromatous plaque stabilization in the golden Syrian hamster common carotid artery, wherein diagnostic B- mode ultrasound is combined with therapeutic system, with a goal of increased safety.
Methods: Vulnerable atheromatous plaque was induced at the right common carotid artery of golden Syrian hamsters. The animals treated by near- infrared laser (1064 nm, 150 J/cm2) irradiation and focused ultrasound (P= 24 W, F= 1.1 MHz, PD= 120 ms) exposure, accompanied by intravenous high- dose atorvastatin- loaded PESDA (Perfluorocarbon Exposed Sonicated Dextrose Albumin) microbubbles (100ml/kg, 2-5 ×105 bubbles/ml) administration.
Results: Results from histopathology and B-mode ultrasonography showed a significant reduction in the mean value for wall mean thickness, percentage of luminal cross-sectional area of stenosis, intraplaque lipid content and a significant increase in the mean value for fibrous- cap thickness in the treatment group compared with the other groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion(s): The anti-inflammatory, reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), and efferocytosis actions of atorvastatin can all be significantly enhanced as a result of the sonoporation action of ultrasound. Sonoporation effect of ultrasound can cause to enhance of atorvastatin intraplaque penetration. Moreover, laser therapy modifies the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase and promotes collagen production, extracellular matrix protein expression, and smooth muscle cell proliferation.
