title: Simvastatin and Ca(2+) signaling in endothelial cells: involvement of rho protein.
abstract: The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor simvastatin is able to produce endothelium-dependent relaxation in addition to its lipid-lowering properties. The underlying mechanisms were investigated in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Simvastatin induced an increase in cytosolic calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) in BAEC, by releasing Ca(2+) from intracellular stores sensitive to thapsigargin and ryanodine, and increasing Ca(2+) entry. Simvastatin response was not altered by the phospholipase A(2) inhibitor ONO-RS-082, or the combination of superoxide dismutase plus catalase. However, the response to simvastatin was reduced by the product of HMG-CoA reductase, mevalonate or by the inhibitor of small G proteins of the Rho family, Clostridium botulinum C3 toxin. Thus, increase in [Ca(2+)](i) involving the activation of Rho protein through mevalonate-dependent pathway is essential for the action of simvastatin and might contribute to its beneficial effects against vascular diseases. This study helps elucidate the mechanisms of endothelial factor generation by simvastatin in BAEC.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad of Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, 41012, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alvarez de Sotomayor
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andriantsitohaina
mesh_terms: D062365:Aminobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D001920:Bradykinin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002723:Chlorobenzoates; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000378:metabolism; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008798:Mevalonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D010741:Phospholipases A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012433:Ryanodine / Q000494:pharmacology; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D019284:Thapsigargin / Q000494:pharmacology; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D062365:Aminobenzoates; D002723:Chlorobenzoates; D002934:Cinnamates; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D013481:Superoxides; D012433:Ryanodine; D019284:Thapsigargin; C060048:2-(4-amylcinnamoyl)amino-4-chlorobenzoic acid; D019821:Simvastatin; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D010741:Phospholipases A; D001905:Botulinum Toxins; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins; C096324:botulinum toxin type C; D008798:Mevalonic Acid; D001920:Bradykinin; D002118:Calcium