Further evidence for direct vascular actions of statins: effect on endothelial nitric oxide synthase and adhesion molecules.

Abstract

The effect of the synthetic statin fluvastatin was investigated on the concentrations of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and of soluble adhesion molecules in human vascular endothelial cell cultures. Fluvastatin was able to increase dose-dependently eNOS concentration. In addition, fluvastatin reduced concentrations of E-Selectin and ICAM-1. These results further support the evidence that statins elicit important effects on the vascular endothelium which may contribute to the reduction of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases.