title: [Effects of lovastatin combined with cyclosporine A on cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells proliferation, cytokines expression and cytotoxicity].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of lovastatin combined with cyclosporine A (CsA) on cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) proliferation, cytokines expression and cytotoxicity in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PBMC was isolated by using Ficoll-Hypague density gradient centrifugation method and its viability was evaluated with LDH-release assay. The effects of lovastatin combined with CsA on cultured PBMC proliferation and cytotoxicity were observed in 3H-TdR incorporation assay. The levels of supernatant IFN-gamma and IL-2 were quantitated respectively with RIA and ELISA-SPOT assay. The IL-2 and IFN-gamma mRNA expressions were determined by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both lovastatin and CsA inhibited PBMC proliferation, expression of IL-2 and IFN-gamma, and NK cell cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Combination of the two drugs produced synergism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statins combined with cyclosporine A have a synergic effect and can delay the incidence and development of allograft rejection and prolong the graft life-span in animal models and clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, PUMC Hospital, CAMS, PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: X W
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duan
mesh_terms: D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016572:Cyclosporine; D008148:Lovastatin