Abstract:Aim To evaluate the protective effects and possible mechanisms of probucol on atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic mice. Methods The hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic (db/db-LDLR-/-) mice were generated by the cross between leptin receptor deficient (db/db) mice and low density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR-/-) mice.8-week-old db/db-LDLR-/- mice were fed with high fat diet (HFD) mixed with 0.5% probucol,diabetic (db/db-LDLR-/-) and non-diabetic (LDLR-/-) control mice were fed with the same HFD without probucol addition.At 2 and 4 months after HFD,plasma lipids and glucose levels were measured.At 4 months after HFD,glucose tolerance and “en face” total aortic atherosclerotic plaque sizes were measured. Results Compared with type 2 diabetic HFD control group,probucol had strong protective effects on reducing plasma total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride (TG),glucose levels,improving glucose tolerance,and decreasing atherosclerotic lesions.Meanwhile,high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC)/TC levels were unchanged. Conclusions Probucol had striking antiatherogenic effects under type 2 diabetic condition with hyperlipidemia.It might be an effective therapy in type 2 diabetic macrovascular disease.