N-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester Hydrochloride Induced Endothelial Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis Model in Rats

Purpose: Atherosclerosis (AS) related diseases are the most common causes of mortality worldwide. N-Nitro-L-Arginine Methyl Ester Hydrochloride (L-NAME)-induced endothelial dysfunction (ED) and AS models require invasive methods for diagnosis. We aimed to establish noninvasive ultrasonography (USG) model for evaluating ED and AS in rats. Matherial and Methods: 23 Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups. Right CCA (rCCA), left CCA (lCCA), abdominal aorta (AA), and right iliac artery (rIA) IMT values of all rats were measured at the beginning of the experiment and before sacrification by USG. Right kidney RI values were calculated at similar times also. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyzes were performed. In the sham group, rats received intraperitoneally (IP) sodium chloride. In the L-NAME groups, IP L-NAME was administered. Results: In the early effect group, significant increase was found in IMT measurements compared to the sham group. In the late effect group, significant increase was found in IMT measurements compared to the sham group. In addition, rRI increased significantly in the group at the end of the experiment. Conclusion: In small animal experiments which ED and AS were studied, a whole-body diagnostic noninvasive model was created for the first time with ultrasonography.