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[Effects of atorvastatin on endothelium protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats]

Zhi-jie Zhang1, Shen-jiang Hu, Jian Sun

  • 1Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China.

Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban = Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical Sciences
|August 25, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Atorvastatin effectively lowers blood pressure and enhances endothelial function in spontaneously hypertensive rats. This study demonstrates atorvastatin

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Pharmacology
  • Endothelial Biology

Background:

  • Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit elevated blood pressure and impaired endothelial function.
  • Endothelial dysfunction is a key factor in cardiovascular disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of two distinct doses of atorvastatin on endothelium protection in SHR.
  • To assess atorvastatin's effects on blood pressure, nitric oxide (NO), and von Willebrand factor (vWF) levels.

Main Methods:

  • Eighteen SHR were divided into control, 10 mg, and 50 mg atorvastatin groups.
  • Six Wistar-Kyoto rats served as a normal control group.
  • Treatment involved daily gavage for 10 weeks, with regular monitoring of systolic blood pressure (SBP), plasma NO, vWF, and lipids.

Main Results:

  • Atorvastatin treatment significantly reduced SBP in SHR compared to controls.
  • Plasma NO levels increased, while vWF levels decreased significantly in atorvastatin-treated groups.
  • Lipid profiles also showed improvement in the atorvastatin groups.

Conclusions:

  • Atorvastatin demonstrates a dose-dependent improvement in endothelial function in SHR.
  • The drug effectively lowers blood pressure by modulating NO and vWF levels, suggesting a protective role for the endothelium.
Abstract

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