Abstract
Statin therapy has been associated with improved cardiac status in normocholesterolemic diabetic patients. Whether this effect is drug‐specific or class‐dependent remains unknown. In this study, we compared the effects of the daily administration of pravastatin (PVT, 10 mg/kg/day) and simvastatin (SVT, 10 mg/kg/day) on cardiac function in streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic rats. We administered these drugs over a 4‐week period. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and echocardiographic parameters were evaluated. SBP was significantly higher in diabetic rats than in age‐matched non‐diabetic rats. SVT decreased SBP in diabetic rats by 21% (P<0.05), whereas PVT did not modify this parameter. SVT increased stroke volume (from 0.17 ml to 0.33 ml, n=5, P<0.05) and cardiac output (n=5, P<0.05). PVT increased ejection fraction by 46% (n=5, P<0.05) and reduced LVESV from 0.18 ml to 0.06 ml (n=5, P<0.05), but did not improve cardiac output (P>0.05). These results suggest SVT and PVT have a positive hemodynamic effect in diabetic rats. The underlying mechanisms of action, however, are different; whereas SVT improves heart function by reducing afterload, PVT improves cardiovascular status by increasing systolic function.
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