C-Peptide: A New Mediator of Atherosclerosis in Diabetes

Figure 2

Increased levels of C-peptide in ApoE-deficient mice were established by subcutaneously injections of C-peptide. C-peptide was administrated two times daily by subcutaneous injections for 12 weeks. Deposition of C-peptide in aortic arch has been investigated in mice treated with C-peptide and control mice. Increased deposition of C-peptide in treated mice leads to increased infiltration of inflammatory cells (monocytes/macrophages), increased proliferation of smooth muscle cells from the media, and increased deposition of lipids in aortic arch assessed by immunohistochemistry.