Effect of atorvastatin on the expression of cardiac collagen in atherosclerotic rabbits

Abstract

Objective To establish rabbit atherosclerosis model and to observe the change of cardiac TIMP-4, investigate the chang of cardiac collagen and the effect of atorvastatin on the expression of cardiac collagen in atherosclerotic rabbits. Methods Eighteen male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group, atherosclerosis group, atorvastatin group. To determine the expression of cardiac chymase and TIMP-4, the level of cadiac Ang Ⅱ and cardiac collagen. Result The cardiac chymase expression and cardiacTIMP-4 of AS Group higher than C Group and ATV group(P<0.01) ;The levels of cardiac AngⅡand cardiac collagen in AS group were significantly higher than the C group and ATV group(P<0.01). Conclusions When atherosclerosis occurs, the activation of cardiac renin-angiotensin system mainly in the expression and level of chymase,TIMP-4,Ang Ⅱ and cardiac collagen were markedly elevated, which cause collagen hyperplasia and fibrosis of myocardium. Atorvastatin could restrain cardiac renin-angiotensin system, and prevent the hyperplasia of cardiac collagen and the fibrosis of cardiac extracellular matrix. Key words: atherosclerosis; cardiac collagen; chymase; TIMP-4; AngⅡ; atorvastatin