目的:研究调节激活正常T细胞表达和分泌趋化因子(RANTES)水平与家兔动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的关系。方法:40只雄性家兔随机分为4组:空白组、对照组、稳定斑块(AS)组和易损斑块(VAP)组,每组10只;空白组和对照组给予普通饲料喂养,AS组和VAP组给予高脂饮食喂养;16周后各组随机处死1只家兔,病理检查证实AS组和VAP组主动脉有粥样斑块形成,且VAP组和对照组于处死前24h和48h分别给予两次药物触发形成VAP。测定各组0周及16周处死前兔空腹血脂和血浆RANTES水平,Masson染色法计算校正斑块面积与易损指数评价斑块稳定性,免疫组织化学证实RANTES在组织斑块中表达,Western blot及RT-PCR测定斑块中RANTES的表达及转录水平,分别统计分析血浆RANTES水平、斑块中RANTES的表达和转录水平与两个斑块稳定性评价指标的相关性。结果:0周时,各组RANTES水平差异无统计学意义,16周后RAN-TES水平VAP组[(97.48±12.22)ng/ml]明显高于AS组[(45.01±8.54)ng/ml]、对照组[(24.88±5.22)ng/ml]和空白组[(25.01±4.45)ng/ml](均P<0.01);斑块的免疫组织化学染色、Western blot和RT-PCR结果均显示,VAP组斑块内RANTES的表达及转录水平明显高于其他3组(均P<0.01),AS组显著高于空白组及对照组(均P<0.01);斑块稳定性比较发现,VAP组校正斑块面积和易损指数均明显大于AS组[(63.47±13.49)︰(42.58±7.12),(2.65±0.63)︰(0.94±0.23);均P<0.01];相关性分析显示,对于VAP组和AS组,血浆RANTES和斑块局部RANTES转录及表达水平均与校正的斑块面积、易损指数呈明显正相关(P<0.05)。结论:无论是血浆还是斑块局部的RANTES水平,均与斑块稳定性有一定关系,RANTES可成为斑块破裂血管事件监测的可靠炎性指标。 Objective: To investigate the relationship between the level of RANTES and the stability of atherosclerotic plaques in rabbits. Methods: Forty male rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: blank group, control group, stable plaque (AS) group and vulnerable plaque group (VAP) group, 10 rats in each group. The blank group and the control group were fed with normal diet The rats in AS group and VAP group were fed with high-fat diet. After 16 weeks, one rabbit was randomly killed in each group. The pathological examination confirmed the formation of atherosclerosis plaque in the aorta of AS group and VAP group. Two drug triggers were given to form VAP at 24h and 48h respectively. The levels of fasting lipids and plasma RANTES in rabbits before and after sacrifice at 0 and 16 weeks were measured. Masson staining was used to evaluate plaque area and fragility index to evaluate plaque stability. Immunohistochemistry confirmed RANTES expression in plaque. Western blot RT-PCR was used to detect the expression and transcription of RANTES in the plaques. The levels of RANTES in plasma, the expression and transcription of RANTES in plaques and the stability of two plaques were analyzed statistically. Results: At 0 week, there was no significant difference in RANTES levels between groups. After 16 weeks, the level of RAN-TES in VAP group [(97.48 ± 12.22) ng / ml] was significantly higher than that in AS group [(45.01 ± 8.54) ng / ml] , (24.88 ± 5.22) ng / ml in the control group and 25.01 ± 4.45 ng / ml in the blank group (all P <0.01). The results of immunohistochemical staining, Western blot and RT-PCR (P <0.01). The levels of RANTES expression and transcription in VAP group were significantly higher than those in other three groups (all P <0.01), while those in AS group were significantly higher than those in blank group and control group (all P <0.01) The corrected plaque area and the fragility index were significantly higher in AS group than in AS group [(63.47 ± 13.49) :( 42.58 ± 7.12), (2.65 ± 0.63) :( 0.94 ± 0.23), respectively (P <0.01) For both VAP group and AS group, the levels of RANTES and local RANTES transcription and expression were positively correlated with corrected plaque area and vulnerability index (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RANTES levels in either plasma or plaque are related to plaque stability, and RANTES may be a reliable indicator of plaque-ruptured vascular events.