Effects of simvastatin on myocardial fibrosis and connective tissue growth factor in renovascular hypertensive rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of simvastatin on myocardial fibrosis and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in renovascular hypertensive rats. METHODS: The experimental rats were randomly divided into three groups, such as sham operation group rats, hyperpiesia rats and hyperpiesia rats treated with simvastatin (5 mg㎏kg -1 ·d -1 ). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured and collagen concentration (Coll) was also detected in terms of hydroxyproline concentration. VanGieson and immunohistochemistry staining combined with computed morphometry were used to evaluate the total collagen volume fraction (CVF) and CTGF expression in left ventricular tissue. RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group rats, the SBP,CVF, Coll and CTGF expression increased markedly in hyperpiesia rats (P 0.01 ). Compared with the hyperpiesia rats, simvastatin inhibited myocardial fibrosis significantly and decreased CTGF expression (P 0.05 ). CONCLUSION: Simvastatin can inhibit the development of myocardial fibrosis in renovascular hypertensive rats, which may be related to the decreased expression of cardiac CTGF.