title: Fluvastatin increases prostacyclin and decreases endothelin production by human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
abstract: Fluvastatin, an agent of a class of lipid-lowering drugs, the "statins", significantly enhanced prostacyclin synthesis at the concentrations of 0.1 microM and 1 microM and significantly reduced endothelin production at the concentrations 0.01, 0.1 and 1 microM in cell cultures of human umbilical endothelial veins. Since prostacyclin is a vasodilator and endothelin a vasoconstrictor, fluvastatin may have a significant effect on hemodynamics by favoring the balance towards vasodilation. This mechanism may contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Seeger
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Mueck
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lippert
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D016232:Endothelins; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007211:Indoles; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D011464:Epoprostenol