Cyclic Peptides Reduce Atherosclerosis

Example 5

Methods.

Experiments were performed in male apoE−/− mice fed an atherogenic diet (D12108, cholate-free AIN-76A semi-purified diet, Research Diets Inc., New Brunswick, NJ) from 4 weeks of age. MPE-298 (300 nmol/kg), MPE-267 (300 nmol/kg) or vehicle (0.9% NaCl), were administered by daily by subcutaneous (s.c.) injections for 8 weeks, from 12 weeks of age, as shown schematically in FIG. 8A.

Results and Discussion.

The results depicted in FIG. 8B show that chronic treatment of the animals with cyclic peptides MPE-267 and MPE-298 reduced aortic lesions by 28% and 42% (p<0.01), respectively, relative to 0.9% NaCl (vehicle), providing evidence that the cyclic peptides exhibit anti-atherosclerotic activity.