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. 2021 Mar 29;11:7025. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-86601-8

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Effect of the induction of heat shock proteins (HSPs) on the prevention of atherosclerosis. (A) 5-week-old ApoE−/− mice, with no signs of the formation of atheromas, were administered geranylgeranylacetone (GGA; 500 mg/kg/day) and fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 5 weeks. Images of the Oil Red O staining of the aorta of ApoE−/− mice are shown. Bar graphs quantifying the atherosclerotic areas, body weight, and total cholesterol levels are also shown. (B) 5-week-old ApoE−/− mice, before the formation of atheromas, were treated in a 30 °C (control) or 41 °C (heat shock) warm bath for 30 min, twice weekly, for 5 weeks. At the same time, the mice were fed an HFD for 5 weeks. Images of the Oil Red O staining of the aorta of ApoE−/− mice are shown. Bar graphs quantifying the atherosclerotic areas, body weight, and total cholesterol levels are also shown. (C) intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) mRNA expression levels in the aorta after GGA administration. 5-week-old ApoE−/− mice, before the formation of atheromas, were administered vehicle or GGA (500 mg/kg/day) for 24 h; total RNA was then extracted from the aortas. (D) ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expression levels in the aorta after heat shock treatment. 5-week-old ApoE−/− mice, showing no signs of the formation of atheromas, were exposed to a 30 °C (control) or 41 °C (heat shock) warm bath for 30 min. After 24 h, total RNA was extracted from the aortas. Each bar represents the mean ± standard deviation (SD). Significant differences are marked on the chart (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01). n = 4–7 mice per group. Scale bars = 2 mm.