%0 Journal Article
%T Expression levels of cathepsin L and cystatin C in a hyperglycemic environment were associated with aortic aneurysm development in a mouse model
%A Jianjun Jiang
%A Qingbo Su
%A Xiangjiu Ding
%A Yan Zhao
%A Yang Jiao
%A Yang Liu
%A Yuxiang He
%J Journal of International Medical Research
%@ 1473-2300
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0300060519847880
%X Diabetes mellitus (DM) attenuates the development of aortic aneurysms (AA). This study investigated the expression of cathepsin L and cystatin C in a hyperglycemic environment, and the influence of these proteins on AA development. Mice were divided into AA and DM+AA groups (n=30 per group). DM was induced by injection of streptozotocin; AA was induced by injection of angiotensin II. Doppler examination was used to measure aortic diameter, and WeigertĄ¯s elastic stain was used to detect elastin degradation. Cathepsin L and cystatin C in aortic tissue were examined by western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction. Aortic diameter in the DM+AA group was less than that in the AA group, and elastin fragmentation grade of the aortic wall was reduced in the DM+AA group. More cathepsin L-positive cells were observed in the AA group than in the DM+AA group; conversely, more cystatin C-positive cells were observed in the DM+AA group than in the AA group. Both protein and mRNA levels of cathepsin L and cystatin C showed similar trends to those observed in immunohistochemistry. Expression levels of cathepsin L and cystatin C in a hyperglycemic environment were associated with AA development in a mouse model
%K Hyperglycemia
%K cathepsin L
%K cystatin C
%K aortic aneurysm
%K mice
%K elastin
%K streptozocin
%K angiotensin II
%K diabetes mellitus
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0300060519847880