The influence of statins on the free intracellular calcium concentration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that are widely used to reduce the risk of cardiac infarction. Their beneficial clinical effects, however, are not restricted to their influence on cholesterol production. As several studies have shown that they have a potency of relaxing blood vessels.


METHODS
We measured the effects of statins on the intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) after acute application and 24-h-preincubation of statins.


RESULTS
Incubation of the cells for 24 h with cerivastatin or fluvastatin significantly increased the resting [Ca2+]i. For cerivastatin this effect manifested at a concentration of 1 microM. Increase of resting [Ca2+]i in the presence of cerivastatin also occurred when the nitric oxide synthase was inhibited. Transient Ca2+ release induced by histamine was not affected.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase of resting [Ca2+]i after incubation with cerivastatin or fluvastatin may provide an explanation for the direct effects of statins on the endothelial-dependent vasodilatation and restoration of endothelial activity in vivo.
Heinke
Stephan
S
Clinics for Internal Medicine I Med. Faculty of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena Erlanger Allee 101, D-07747 Jena, Germany. svs.heinke@web.de
Schwarz
Gero
G
Figulla
Hans R
HR
Heinemann
Stefan H
SH
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007211:Indoles; D011725:Pyridines; D000077340:Fluvastatin; C086276:cerivastatin; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D002118:Calcium