Bm-573, a thromboxane receptor antagonist, reduces development of atherosclerosis in apoe–deficient mice

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to World Health Organization, is the primary cause of heart disease and stroke. Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular disease whose development is influenced by several mediators. Among them, the action of eicosanoïds such as thromboxane A2 and 8-iso-PGF2a have recently received a lot of attention. The aim of our study was the evaluation of benefits of original molecules, synthesised in our lab, targeting the thromboxane receptor (TP) in an apo E deficient mouse. We previously demonstrated in several in vitro and in vivo pharmacological experiments that our original sulfonylurea derivate, BM-573 was a potent combined inhibitor of the thromboxane synthase and antagonist of TP. Since TP is implied in atherosclerosis development, such antagonist could have a great therapeutic impact in atherogenesis.To test the efficacy of BM-573 in atherogenesis, the effect of 10 weeks of treatment with BM573 (10 mg/kg) on early aortic atherosclerotic lesions of apo E deficient mice was assessed. These mice were fed with chow diet, with spontaneous increase of total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides. In this experiment, while BM-573 did not affect body weight, it significantly decreased early atherogenesis lesions confirmed by macroscopic, microscopic and biochemical analysis. These results confirm that selective antagonism of TP receptor is effective in reducing atherosclerotic lesion in apo E deficient mice. Consequently, BM-573 could be a potential drug for prevention of atherosclerosis.