Effects of atorvastatin on C-reactive protein secretions by adipocytes in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a powerful predictor for coronary heart diseases. Recent study has revealed that adipocytes can produce CRP. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, an important nuclear transcriptional factor, can be predominately detected in adipocytes and exert several biological properties, including antiinflammatory effects. The authors investigated the effects of 2-week atorvastatin treatment on CRP secretions by adipocytes in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. CRP concentrations in serum and adipocytes culture supernatants were measured by latex particle-enhanced immunoturbidometric method. RT-PCR was used to evaluate PPARgamma mRNA expression. Two weeks of atorvastatin treatment resulted in significant reductions of circulating CRP concentrations, which were associated with CRP secretions in adipocytes (r = 0.688, P = 0.007). Meanwhile, CRP secretions in adipocytes were intimately related to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (r = 0.869, P < 0.001) and PPARgamma mRNA expressions in adipocytes (r = -0.857, P < 0.001). These data demonstrate that hypercholesterolemia may induce CRP secretions in adipocytes; short-term atorvastatin treatment reduces CRP secretions in adipocytes, possibly through lowering blood cholesterol levels and upregulating PPARgamma expressions in adipocytes. These findings enrich the pharmacological effects of statins and also enlighten the relationship between adipocytes and hypercholesterolemia.