Effects of atorvastatin on endothelium protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

To investigate the effects of two different dosage of atorvastatin on endothelium protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). SHRs (n=18) were randomly divided into three groups (n=6): SHR control group, 50 mg atorvastatin group and 10 mg group. Six male Wistar-Kyoto rats were selected as normal control group (WKY group). All animals were given vehicle once a day by gavage for 10 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured before and after treatment with atorvastatin every 2 weeks. Plasma NO and vWF were measured by nitrate reductase method and double antibodies ELISA, respectively. Plasma lipids were also measured. SBP in all SHR groups was much higher than that in WKY group before experiment (P<0.01). Compared with SHR control group, SBP significantly decreased in 50 mg atorvastatin group at 6, 8 and 10 weeks and in 10 mg atorvastatin group merely at 10 weeks (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The plasma levels of NO in SHR control group was significantly lower than those in WKY group (P<0.01). After 10 weeks, plasma NO levels in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were markedly higher than those in SHR control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The plasma levels of vWF in SHR control group was significantly higher than those in WKY group (P<0.01). After 10 weeks, plasma vWF levels in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were markedly lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.01). Plasma lipids in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Atorvastatin can decrease blood pressure and significantly improve endothelial function in SHR by increasing plasma NO level and decreasing plasma vWF level.