title: Atorvastatin and simvastatin decrease the uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein by human monocytes.
abstract: Several lines of evidence indicate that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors exert anti-atherogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we determined the effect of members of the above classes of drugs on the uptake of modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by U937 cells (human monocytic cell line), a key event in the progression of atherosclerosis. U937 cells were treated with drugs and subsequently the uptake of fluorescent acetylated LDL was assessed by flow cytometry. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, atorvastatin and simvastatin (1-30 mumol/l), but not calcium channel blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, inhibited the uptake of modified LDL by monocytes. Therefore, atorvastatin and simvastatin may slow down the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting the formation of foam cells.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavridou
authors.forename: Vangelis G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Manolopoulos
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020298:U937 Cells
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011758:Pyrroles; C032629:acetyl-LDL; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin