Long-term doxycycline treatment was more effective than atenolol in preventing thoracic aortic aneurysm in a Marfan syndrome mouse model by inhibiting MMP-2 and -9.
Does doxycycline prevent thoracic aortic aneurysm better than atenolol in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome?
In a mouse model of Marfan syndrome, long-term doxycycline was more effective than atenolol in preventing thoracic aortic aneurysm by inhibiting MMP-2 and -9.
Beta-blockers, eg, atenolol, are the cornerstone therapy for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) in patients with Marfan syndrome; however, continued aortic dilatation has been reported. We have demonstrated that matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 were upregulated during progression of TAA in Marfan syndrome, accompanied with degenerated elastic fibers and vasomotor dysfunction. We hypothesized that doxycycline, a nonspecific inhibitor of MMPs, would ameliorate TAA by attenuating elastic fiber degeneration and improving vasomotor function. A well-characterized mouse model of Marfan syndrome (Fbn1(C1039G/+)) was used. Mice were untreated (n=40), given doxycycline (0.24 g/L, n=30), or given atenolol (0.5 g/L, n=30) in drinking water at 6 weeks of age. The Fbn1(+/+) mice served as control (n=40). At 3, 6, and 9 months, aortic segments from the ascending, arch, and descending portions were used to obtain the "average" value of the whole thoracic aorta. TAA was prevented in the doxycycline group, whereas mild aneurysm was evident in the atenolol group. Doxycycline improved elastic fiber integrity, normalized aortic stiffness, and prevented vessel weakening. The impairment of vasocontraction and endothelium-dependent relaxation in the untreated and atenolol groups were improved by doxycycline. The upregulation of transforming growth factor-beta in the Marfan aorta was suppressed by doxycycline. Doxycycline augmented expression ratios of tissue inhibitors of MMP to MMPs. Intraperitoneally injected neutralizing antibodies against MMP-2 and -9 yielded similar effects to doxycycline. We concluded that long-term treatment with doxycycline, through the inhibition of MMP-2 and -9, is more effective than atenolol in preventing TAA in Marfan syndrome by preserving elastic fiber integrity, normalizing vasomotor function, and reducing transforming growth factor-beta activation.
Chung et al. (Fri,) conducted a other in Thoracic aortic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome (n=140). Doxycycline vs. Atenolol (0.5 g/L) and untreated was evaluated on Prevention of thoracic aortic aneurysm. Long-term doxycycline treatment was more effective than atenolol in preventing thoracic aortic aneurysm in a Marfan syndrome mouse model by inhibiting MMP-2 and -9.