Rivaroxaban restrains IL-6, TNF-α and MMP9 expressions in carotid atherosclerotic plaques in apoE-/- mice

AIM To investigate how rivaroxaban, an FXa alternative inhibitor, influences the inflammatory factor expression in carotid atherosclerotic plaques in apoE-/- mouse. METHODSWe divided 20 apoE-/- mice randomly into control group and rivaroxaban group (n=10 each). The models of carotid atherosclerotic plaques were established with high-fat food and carotid artery casing in all mice. After 8 weeks, mice in the control group were given physiological saline by intragastric administration and mice in the rivaroxaban group were given rivaroxaban 5 mg/kg by intragastric administration. After 4 weeks of continuous administration, mice were euthanized after body weight was measured. The expression levels of IL-6 (interleukin-6), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) and MMP9 (matrix metalloproteinase 9) in plaques were measured by Western blot. RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, the weight and lipid levels in the rivaroxaban group were not obviously changed, but the expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α and MMP9 were reduced significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONRivaroxaban inhibits inflammatory factor expression in atherosclerotic plaques.