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Updated: May 9, 2026

En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries
Published on: February 25, 2016
Simvastatin treatment increases nitrite levels in obese women: modulation by T(-786)C polymorphism of eNOS
V L Andrade1, J T C Sertório, N M Eleuterio
1Núcleo de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa - Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Rua Domingos Vieira 590, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Objective And Subjects:
Evidence indicates an impairment of nitric oxide (NO) in obesity. Statins present pleiotropic effects independently of cholesterol-lowering, including increasing of eNOS expression and antioxidant effects. We evaluated the effects of simvastatin treatment at 45 days on circulating nitrite (NO marker) and TBARS-MDA levels in obese women without comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia). Moreover, we verified whether obese women carrying the C variant of T(-786)C polymorphism located in eNOS may have increased levels of nitrite after treatment compared to TT genotype.
Results:
After simvastatin treatment, while the plasma nitrite levels increased 42% (P=0.0008), the TBARS-MDA levels reduced 58% (P=0.0069). We observed increased levels of nitrite in both groups of genotypes (TT vs. TC+CC); however, rise in C-allele carriers was 60% comparing with 44% in TT.
Conclusion:
Our results demonstrated a restoration of nitrite levels in obese women treated with simvastatin, which is modulated by T(-786)C polymorphism.
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