[Effects of atorvastatin on endothelium protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of two different dosage of atorvastatin on endothelium protection in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: SHRs (n=18) were randomly divided into three groups (n=6): SHR control group, 50 mg atorvastatin group and 10 mg group. Six male Wistar-Kyoto rats were selected as normal control group (WKY group). All animals were given vehicle once a day by gavage for 10 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured before and after treatment with atorvastatin every 2 weeks. Plasma NO and vWF were measured by nitrate reductase method and double antibodies ELISA, respectively. Plasma lipids were also measured. RESULTS: SBP in all SHR groups was much higher than that in WKY group before experiment (P<0.01). Compared with SHR control group, SBP significantly decreased in 50 mg atorvastatin group at 6, 8 and 10 weeks and in 10 mg atorvastatin group merely at 10 weeks (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The plasma levels of NO in SHR control group was significantly lower than those in WKY group (P<0.01). After 10 weeks, plasma NO levels in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were markedly higher than those in SHR control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The plasma levels of vWF in SHR control group was significantly higher than those in WKY group (P<0.01). After 10 weeks, plasma vWF levels in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were markedly lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.01). Plasma lipids in 50 mg and 10 mg atorvastatin groups were lower than those in SHR control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin can decrease blood pressure and significantly improve endothelial function in SHR by increasing plasma NO level and decreasing plasma vWF level.