Lack of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase-1 accelerates atherosclerosis in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

BACKGROUND - Recent clinical studies have suggested a major protective role for the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) in diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. We induced diabetes in mice deficient for both GPx1 and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) to determine whether this is merely an association or whether GPx1 has a direct effect on diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS - ApoE-deficient (ApoE) and ApoE/GPx1 double-knockout (ApoEGPx1) mice were made diabetic with streptozotocin and aortic lesion formation, and atherogenic pathways were assessed after 10 and 20 weeks of diabetes. Aortic proinflammatory and profibrotic markers were determined by both quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis after 10 weeks of diabetes and immunohistochemical analysis after 10 and 20 weeks of diabetes. Sham-injected nondiabetic counterparts served as controls. Atherosclerotic lesions within the aortic sinus region, as well as arch, thoracic, and abdominal lesions, were significantly increased in diabetic ApoEGPx1 aortas compared with diabetic ApoE aortas. This increase was accompanied by increased macrophages, α-smooth muscle actin, receptors for advanced glycation end products, and various proinflammatory (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) and profibrotic (vascular endothelial growth factor and connective tissue growth factor) markers. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis showed increased expression of receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and connective tissue growth factor. Nitrotyrosine levels were significantly increased in diabetic ApoEGPx1 mouse aortas. These findings were observed despite upregulation of other antioxidants. CONCLUSIONS - Lack of functional GPx1 accelerates diabetes-associated atherosclerosis via upregulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic pathways in ApoE mice. Our study provides evidence of a protective role for GPx1 and establishes GPx1 as an important antiatherogenic therapeutic target in patients with or at risk of diabetic macrovascular disease.