Expressions of nitric oxide and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in rabbit models of atherosclerosis and interference effect of atorvastatin

Objective To investigate the expressions of nitric oxide (NO) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1(PAI-1)in rabbit models of atherosclerosis and the interference effect of atorvastatin. Methods Twenty four male Japanese rabbits were divided into 3 groups (8 in each group): high-fat diet group(group A),high-fat plus atorvastatin group (group B) and normal diet group(group C).The expressions of NO and PAI-1 were detected with ELISA assay.Plasma lipid was detected with automatic analysis divice. Results The espression of NO in group B was significantly higher than those in groups A and group C (P0.01); there was no significant difference between groups A and C (P0.05).The expression of PAI-1 in group B was significantly lower than those in groups A and C,there was no significant difference between groups A and group C (P0.05).The levels of serum TC in groups A,B,and C were (23.51±10.58),(14.27±3.51)and(1.36±0.33)mmol·L-1, respectively; the levels of serum LDL in groups A,B,and C were (21.39±10.00),(14.23±4.01)and(0.72±0.35)mmol·L-1;there were significant differences between three groups (P0.05),while TG had no significant difference between three groups (P0.05).Conclusion High-fat diet has no significant effect on the expressions of NO and PAI-1 in atherosclerosis rabbits .Atorvastatin can increase the expression of NO and decrease the expression of PAI-1,and can inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis.