Long term Rho-kinase inhibition ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in LDL-Receptor deficient mice

Chronic inhibition of Rho-kinase has been recently implicated in retardation of atherogenesis induced by high-fat diet in low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient (LDLR-/-) mice. However, it remains to be examined whether long-term Rho-kinase inhibition will reduce vascular dysfunction in this model. LDLR-/- mice on a high-fat diet were treated either with saline (LDLR-/-) or with the Rho-kinase inhibitor Fasudil (HA1077, 5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl homopiperazine, 100 mg/kg/day by gavage, LDLR-/- +Fasudil) for 10 weeks. Fasudil-treatment normalized endothelial function (measured by means of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation) in LDLR-/- +Fasudil, to the level of controls (C57BL/6J). No tolerance toward Rho-kinase inhibition has been detected in Fasudil-treated animals. We conclude that long-term Rho-kinase inhibition normalizes endothelial function without development of tolerance.