Sex-specific differences of adenosine triphosphate levels in red blood cells isolated from ApoE/LDLR double-deficient mice

In this study for the first time, we investigated the correlation between sex-specific differences in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in red blood cells (RBCs) and their mechanical, biochemical, and morphological alterations during the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE/LDLR double-deficient ($ApoE/LDLR^{-/-}$) mice. Our results indicate that both sex and age affect alterations in RBCs of both $ApoE/LDLR^{-/-}$ and C57BL/6J mice. When compared with male RBCs, female RBCs were characterized by lower basal ATP and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), higher hemoglobin concentration (HGB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), deformability, and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure levels, regardless of age in both, $ApoE/LDLR^{-/-}$ and C57BL/6J mice. $ApoE/LDLR^{-/-}$ mice compared with age-matched controls showed lower basal ATP levels regardless of age and sex. Intracellular ATP level of RBCs was decreased solely in senescent female C57BL/6J mice, while it was elevated in males. Basal extracellular ATP levels were 400 times lower than corresponding intracellular level. In conclusion, basal ATP levels, RBC morphology, deformability, PS exposure levels alterations are sex-dependent in mice. Changes in basal ATP levels were correlated with PS exposure and trends of changes in MCV. Trends of changes of the most RBC parameters were similar in both sexes of $ApoE/LDLR^{-/-}$ mice compared with age-matched controls, however, their kinetics and levels vary greatly between different stages of disease progression

Distribution of selected elements in atherosclerotic plaques of apoE/LDLR-double knockout mice subjected to dietary and pharmacological treatments

10.1016/j.radphyschem.2011.02.021Radiation Physics and Chemistry80101072-1077RPCH