Effects of different doses of rosuvastatin on adiponectin levels in rats with atherosclerosis in vivo

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of rosuvastatin on adiponectin(APN) levels in rats with atherosclerosis(AS), and the dose- effect relationship. Methods Forty SD male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group(Con), AS model group(M), high dose rosuvastatin(4 mg/ kg)+ AS group(HD), and low dose rosuvastatin(0.5 mg/kg)+ AS group(LD).The rats were fed on high fat diet to establish the AS model.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect APN, nitric oxide(NO), high sensitivity- C- reactive protein(hsCRP), low density lipoprotein- cholesterol(LDL- C), total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG)levels in different periods.The descending aorta was taken out from each group for morphological observation of the arterial intima changes under light microscope. Results (1) As compared with Con group[APN:(154.7±3.6)μg/L; NO:(51.0± 3.2)μmol/L], APN and NO levels in M, HD and LD groups were all remarkably decreased(P<0.05), those in LD group[(107.5±3.8)μg/L;(39.5±1.2)μmol/L]were remarkably lower than in HD group [(128.4±0.8)μg/L;(45.5±0.9)μmol/L,P< 0.05], and those in M group[(89.0±5.4)μg/L; (27.8±3.1)μmol/L] were remarkably lower than in LD group(P<0.05);(2) As compared with Con group, hsCRP, LDL- C, TCand TG levels in M, HDand LD groups were all remarkably increased(P< 0.05), those in LD group were remarkably higher than in HD group(P<0.05), and those in M group were remarkably higher than in LD group(P<0.05);(3) The doses of rosuvastatin was positively correlated with the change of APN[(107.5±3.8)μg/L for LD group, and(128.4±0.8)μg/L for HD group,r= 0.395,P< 0.05];(4) There was a significantly positive correlation between the change of APN and NO under the treatment with rosuvastatin(r= 0.42,P< 0.05);(5) Histological, the arterial intimal injury was mild in HD group, moderate in LD grou,and severe in M group, respectively. Conclusion Rosuvastatin does enhance the APN level in the body of AS rats,and there does exist dose- effect relationship.The anti- atherogenic function of rosuvastatin may be related to the increased APN levels in AS rats in vivo, further the increased NO level. Key words: Atherosclerosis; Rosuvastatin; Adiponectin; Nitric oxide