Masoud Alasvand - Department of Physiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Bahman Rashidi - Department of Anatomy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Shaghayegh Haghjooy Javanmard - Department of Physiology, Applied Physiology research center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Majid Khazaei - Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Objective(s): Atherosclerosis is an important risk factor for coronary heart disease. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and its receptors, located in peripheral tissue such as white adipose tissue, have been linked to obesity and fat storage. The role of NPY in atherosclerosis has not yet been fully studied, so this study was conducted to further investigate the effect of BIIE ۰۲۴۶, an NPY receptor antagonist, on aortic intima-media thickness and size and number of adipocyte cells in normal and obese mice. Materials and Methods: Tests were performed on ۲۴ male C۵۷BL/۶ mice. The animals were divided into four groups as follows: control (normal), obese (high-fat diet), normal+NPY receptor antagonist (۱ μM, ۱۰۰ µl/Kg BIIE۰۲۴۶ intraperitoneally) and obese+NPY receptor antagonist (n=۶ each). After ۱۴ days, the animals were sacrificed and epididymal adipose tissue and thoracic aorta were removed. Evaluations were made for adipocyte cell number and size and for aortic intima-media thickness. Results: The group on a high-fat diet showed a significantly decreased number of adipocyte cells and increased cell size (P<۰.۰۵). BIIE۰۲۴۶ application changed the cell number of adipocyte in normal mice (P=۰.۰۵); however, it did not change adipocyte cell size and aortic intima-media thickness in obese and normal mice (P>۰.۰۵). Conclusion: NPY receptor antagonist had no effect on adipocyte cell size and aortic intima-media thickness; however, it decreased cell number in the normal group indicating likely involvement in the progression of obesity

Adipocyte, Atherosclerosis, Neuropeptide Y, Obesity