CXCL12 protein levels were reduced in plaque and peritoneal macrophages in MF-IGF1 mice.
Monocyte recruitment was reduced by 70% in MF-IGF1 mice and was associated with a 27% reduction in circulating levels of CXC Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12). Macrophage IGF1 overexpression downregulated plaque burden by 30%, reduced plaque macrophages by 47%, and promoted features of a stable plaque phenotype. We also assessed cholesterol efflux and foam cell formation in vivo and in vitro. We accelerated atherosclerotic development by feeding animal a high fat diet for three months.
We hypothesized that increasing IGF1 levels strictly in macrophages will prevent atherosclerosis.Īfter breeding a novel macrophage-specific IGF1 overexpressing transgenic mouse to an Apoe -/- background (MF-IGF1 mice), we assessed atherosclerotic plaque burden, stability, and monocyte recruitment. Results of our previous in vitro experiments suggest that macrophages play a predominant role in mediating IGF1 effects in atherosclerotic plaque, but exact mechanisms remain unclear. IGF1 administration in ApoE deficient (Apoe -/-) mice fed a high fat diet reduced atherosclerosis and reduced plaque macrophages. Insulin Like Growth Factor I (IGF1) has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events. See the Activity Guides to learn ways to protect your health when the AQI reaches unhealthy levels.1Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LAĢUniversity of Missouri System, Columbia, MOĪtherosclerosis is the leading cause of Cardiovascular Disease, which is still the global leader of mortality. Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected. Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Some members of the general public may experience health effects members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. AQI Basics for Ozone and Particle Pollution Daily AQI ColorĪir quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.Īir quality is acceptable.
The color makes it easy for people to quickly determine whether air quality is reaching unhealthy levels in their communities. Each category corresponds to a different level of health concern. When AQI values are above 100, air quality is unhealthy: at first for certain sensitive groups of people, then for everyone as AQI values get higher. AQI values at or below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. For example, an AQI value of 50 or below represents good air quality, while an AQI value over 300 represents hazardous air quality.įor each pollutant an AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to an ambient air concentration that equals the level of the short-term national ambient air quality standard for protection of public health. The higher the AQI value, the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern. Think of the AQI as a yardstick that runs from 0 to 500. AQI is EPA’s index for reporting air quality.