HMG-CoA reductase inhibition by atorvastatin reduces neointimal inflammation in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA)-reductase inhibitor atorvastatin on the potential mechanisms involved in the recruitment of monocytic cells into the vessel wall.


BACKGROUND
Inhibitors of HMG-CoA-reductase reduce cardiovascular mortality though the mechanisms yet elucidated. Most ischemic events are secondary to disruption of atherosclerotic plaques highly infiltrated by macrophages.


METHODS
Atherosclerosis was induced in the femoral arteries of rabbits by endothelial damage and atherogenic diet for 4 weeks. Then, animals were switched to standard chow and randomized to receive either no treatment or atorvastatin (5 mg/kg/d) and killed after 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Atorvastatin induced a significant reduction in serum lipids and in lesion size. Arterial macrophage infiltration was abolished by the treatment, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was significantly diminished in the neointima and in the media. Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) was activated in the 60% of the lesions, both in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), of the untreated group while only in 30% of the atorvastatin group. NF-kappaB activity was also lower in the uninjured aorta and liver of treated compared with untreated rabbits. In cultured VSMC, MCP-1 expression and NF-kappaB activity induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha were downregulated by atorvastatin.


CONCLUSIONS
In a rabbit atherosclerosis model, atorvastatin diminishes the neointimal inflammation, and this could contribute to the stabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque. This may be an additional explanation for the reduction of acute ischemic events in patients treated with statins.
Bustos
C
C
Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain.
Hernández-Presa
M A
MA
Ortego
M
M
Tuñón
J
J
Ortega
L
L
Pérez
F
F
Díaz
C
C
Hernández
G
G
Egido
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000032:analysis; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*
D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin