Abstract
Because statins promote endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production in vessels by increasing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), we evaluated the clinical benefit and efficiency of simvastatin in preventing the decrease in NO control of coronary blood flow (CBF), NO regulation of myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO(2)) and decreased nitrite production in coronary microvessels, associated with pacing-induced heart failure (HF). Dogs (n=17) were instrumented for measurement of coronary blood flow and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). HF was induced by pacing. Ten dogs were given simvastatin 20 mg/kg/day orally (HF+SIMVA) from the 10th day of pacing. HF+SIMVA had a lower LVEDP at 4 weeks of pacing (18+/-1 vs. 25+/-1 mm Hg, p<0.05), and the NO-dependent coronary vasodilation to veratrine was preserved compared to HF (p<0.05). In coronary microvessels, SIMVA potentiated nitrite production compared to HF (p<0.05) and enhanced the NO-dependent decrease in MVO(2) in cardiac tissue in response to 10(-4) mol/l bradykinin, which was markedly blunted in HF (p<0.05). Using Western blotting, there was a reduction in eNOS protein during HF that was preserved at 4-5 weeks of pacing during treatment with SIMVA. Simvastatin maintained NO production by coronary vessels and NO bioactivity during pacing-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. Targeting the endothelium, which participates in the control of myocardial metabolism by NO, may be an important mechanism of action of statins in the treatment of heart failure.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.