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Amlodipine improves aortic dysfunction in atherosclerotic mice - 04/03/26

Doi : 10.1016/j.biopha.2026.119073 
Sophia Marie Rasch a, Benedikt Fels b, Alexandra Schmalohr a, Luis Daniel Hernandez Torres a, Eva Peschke c, 1, Olga Maria Will c, Jan-Bernd Hoevener c, Leonie Achner a, Tobias Klersy a, Frauke Spiecker a, Marcel Sauer b, Carl Vahldieck b, e, Tobias Reinberger d, e, Urte Matschl f, Susanne Hille g, Oliver J. Müller e, g, Zouhair Aherrahrou d, e, Kristina Kusche b, e, Walter Raasch a, e, g, h,
a Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Germany 
b Institute for Physiology, University Lübeck, Germany 
c Section Biomedical Imaging, MOIN CC, Department of Radiology and Neuroradiology, UKSH, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany 
d Institute for Cardiogenetics, University Lübeck, Germany 
e DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel, Lübeck, Germany 
f Department of Virus Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Virology, Hamburg, Germany 
g Department of Internal Medicine V, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany 
h CBBM (Centre for Brain, Behavior and Metabolism), University of Lübeck, Germany 

Correspondence to: Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck 23538, Germany. Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck Ratzeburger Allee 160 Lübeck 23538 Germany

Abstract

Calcium channel blockers are established in treating hypertension or arrhythmias. They have also been suggested to have anti-atherosclerotic effects, although most such studies are limited mainly to histological or biochemical parameters. Therefore, the aim was to test the hypothesis that amlodipine (AMLO) improves vascular function in atherosclerosis in particular. Here, PCSK9 DY -injected C57BL/6N-mice on a Western diet (WD) were orally treated with either AMLO (10 mg/kg bw ) or vehicle (VEH), while controls received adeno-associated virus vector (AAV) and a chow diet. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured in vivo by ultrasound. Cortical stiffness was determined ex vivo by atomic force microscopy and in vitro in endothelial cells. Compared to controls, plaque burden and calcification deposits in the thoracic aorta and plasma levels of lipids, TNFα, IL6, and NO were increased in PCSK9 DY +WD VEH mice. Upon AMLO treatment, NO, calcification, and plaque burden were reduced, but not lipids. PWV (1.267 ± 0.232 vs. 0.908 ± 0.173 m/s) and cortical stiffness (1.412 ± 0.033 vs. 0.992 ± 0.015 pN/nm) were higher in the PCSK9 DY +WD VEH than in AAV+chow VEH mice but remained almost normal despite PCSK9 DY +WD intervention when treated with AMLO (0.987 ± 0.119 m/s or 1.181 ± 0.026 pN/nm). AMLO reduced PWV and stiffness in AAV+chow mice and decreased cortical stiffness and increased glycocalyx height in endothelial cells. We conclude that AMLO improves vascular function in atherosclerosis as PWV and cortical stiffness become normalized. Since AMLO also improved function in AAV+chow controls and in endothelial cells, we further conclude that the effect is independent of the development of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, our in vivo results point to a NO-dependent mechanism.

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Graphical Abstract




 : 

In AAV+chow mice (left part of the figure), lipids, plaque burden, degree of aortic calcification, and inflammation parameters remain unchanged after AMLO treatment compared to VEH-treated controls, while NO still increases slightly and cortical stiffness and pulse wave velocity are reduced. This indicates a direct, NO-dependent AMLO effect on both functional parameters, which is also confirmed by in vitro findings in HUVEC cells. The PCSK9 DY +WD intervention (right part of the figure) increased lipids, plaque burden and calcification, and signs of inflammation, while NO was reduced, all of which led to a significant increase in cortical stiffness and pulse wave velocity. Except for lipids, which remained unchanged, the other parameters normalized under AMLO treatment despite PCSK9 DY +WD intervention. The VEH treatment is indicated by the red color, the AMLO treatment by the green color.


In AAV+chow mice (left part of the figure), lipids, plaque burden, degree of aortic calcification, and inflammation parameters remain unchanged after AMLO treatment compared to VEH-treated controls, while NO still increases slightly and cortical stiffness and pulse wave velocity are reduced. This indicates a direct, NO-dependent AMLO effect on both functional parameters, which is also confirmed by in vitro findings in HUVEC cells. The PCSK9 DY +WD intervention (right part of the figure) increased lipids, plaque burden and calcification, and signs of inflammation, while NO was reduced, all of which led to a significant increase in cortical stiffness and pulse wave velocity. Except for lipids, which remained unchanged, the other parameters normalized under AMLO treatment despite PCSK9 DY +WD intervention. The VEH treatment is indicated by the red color, the AMLO treatment by the green color.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Highlights

PCSK9 DY +WD interventions increased cortical stiffness and pulse wave velocity.
Atherosclerotic changes are normalized upon amlodipine except of elevated lipids.
Amlodipine also betted vascular function in non-atherosclerotic controls.
Amlodipine increased NO and reduced cortical stiffness of HUVEC cells.
Protective amlodipine effects are dependent and independently of atherosclerosis.

Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.

Abbreviations : AAV, AFM, AMLO, AngII, ApoE, ARB, CCB, EGC, FCS, GIP, HEPES, HUVEC, IL6, IMT, Ko, MMP12, MRI, NO, ORO, PCSK9 DY , PWV, SMC, TC, TEL, TG, vehicle, VSMC, WD

Keywords : Atherosclerosis, AAV-PCSK9 DY mouse model , atomic force microscopy, cortical stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, amlodipine, Calcium channel blockers, pulse wave velocity


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© 2026  The Authors. Publié par Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits réservés.
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