Effect of atorvastatin on artherosclerosis and expression of lipoprotein receptor

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on the formation of artherosclerosis and expression of Lipoprotein receptor LOX-1.Methods Animal models of carotid artery artherosclerosis were successively established by microsurgical suture performed on carotid artery in rabbits in combination with high fat diet,and treated with atorvastatin orally.In the contral group,no atorvastatin was given.Rabbits were sacrificed in batch at 6th and 12th week with gas embolism.The pathological changes of the carotid were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and HE/Masson staining.The artherosclerosis was evaluated by ratio of intima (Ⅰ) thickness to tunica media (M) thickness,and ration of intima (SI) areas to tunica media (SM) areas.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of LOX-1.Inage-ProPlus image analysis system was used to analyze the positive area ratio of LOX-1.Results The carotid atherosclerosis model was successfully established by microsurgical suture in combination with high fat diet.The I/M ratio and SI/SM ratio were significantly reduced at 6th week (0.49 ± 0.51 and 0.11 ±0.09) and at 12 week (0.68 ±0.43 and 0.61 ±0.22) in the atorvastatin group as compared with those in the control group (0.88 ±0.39 and 0.28 ±0.13 at 6th week,and 2.64 ±0.62 and 1.88 ±0.47 at 12th week,P＜0.05 for all).The expression of LOX-1 at 6th week (0.04 ±0.02) and at 12th week (0.72 ±0.18) was lower in the atorvastatin groups than in the control (2.12 ± 0.67 at 6th week,and 5.06 ± 0.78 at 12th week,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Carotid artery atherosclerosis model was successfully established by microsurgical suture in combination with high fat diet.Atorvastatins could inhibit or delay the formation of atherosclerosis and suppress the expression of LOX-1 in rabbit carotid artery atherosclerosis models. Key words: Atherosclerosis; Lipoprotein receptor; Atorvastatins