0300 : Mechanical and functional vascular impact of a low dose atorvastatin treatment in WHHL rabbits

Abstract

This study is a new contribution to the analysis of the effects of a low dose of statin used at concentrations below its lipid-lowering effect. an atorvastatin treatment (2.5 mg/kg/day) was tested against controls on 34 male 3 to 12 month-old rabbits. The Arterial stiffness was evaluated on vigil animals by pulse wave velocity (PWV) measurement. In addition, i n vitro measurements were performed to evaluate (1) the endothelial and vascular smooth muscle function, (2) the elasticity of the arterial wall (with a static tensile test) and (3) the composition in collagen and elastin in the aorta (with two-photon and second harmonic generation microscopy). The level of triglycerides, Height Density Lipoprotein and Low Density Lipoprotein remain similar over the time between the control and statin groups. However, an increase in PWV was observed during the time in the group without statin, while it was not in the group with statin (5.17 ±0.50 vs. 2.14 ±0.34 m.s-1; p<0.05; at 12 month, respectively, Figure). In addition, at 12 month, the percentage of elastin was lower in the control group (32.4±1.5) compared to the treated group (33.9±1,4). The observed change in PWV was due to the modification in structural component of the vessel. Chronic low dose of atorvastatin prevents the loss of elasticity in the aorta in the WHHL rabbits. This study shows a beneficial effect of our treatment on the vascular system of the atherosclerotic WHHL rabbit. The author hereby declares no conflict of interest Figure Evolution of pulse wave velocity over the time