Experimental study of effect of atorvastatin on atherosclerosis in an rabbit intimal injury model

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on atherosclerosis.Methods Twenty-nine healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly separated into 4 groups: normal group (n=7),pathological group(n=7)(2.5 mg·kg-1·d-1)and 9 week atorvastatin treated group (n=8)( 2.5 mg·kg-1·d-1).Total cholesterol (TC),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)and triglyceride(TG)were assayed at the onset and the end of the study.The arteries were processed for hematoxylin-eosin staining, scanning electron microscopy and measurement of plaque area.Results Atorvastatin reduced serum TC,LDL-C,and TG,while elevated serum HDL-C.Histopathologic examination showed the treated group had a remarkably decreased intimal thickness,intimal foam cells and smooth muscle cells (SMC),but without synthetic SMC.The plaque area was reduced in 9 week treated group(P0.05).Conclusion Atorvastatin has antiatherogenic effect.