title: Atorvastatin reduces tissue factor expression in adipose tissue of atherosclerotic rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have recently demonstrated that tissue factor (TF) expression increases in adipose tissues/adipocytes of cholesterol-fed rabbit, which is associated with a hypercoagulable state that contributes to thrombosis. In this study, we evaluated the ability of atorvastatin to modulate TF expression in cholesterol-fed rabbit and the regulatory mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male rabbits were randomly fed with normal diet and high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, following 4 weeks, those fed high-cholesterol diet were randomly assigned to atorvastatin or starch. At the end of 12 weeks, subcutaneous adipose was collected, and culture adipocyte. TF mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TF concentrations were determined with ELISA. The in vitro effect of atorvastatin and mevalonate (MVA) on TF production in adipocytes was observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Atorvastatin reduced serum TC and LDL-C levels (P<0.05), and decreased plasma TF concentration and expression in adipose tissues/adipocytes from cholesterol-fed rabbits. In vitro, atorvastatin dose-dependently suppressed TF expression and protein secretion in adipocytes. MVA reversed the inhibitory effect of atorvastatin on TF expression in concentration-dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results provide further support for the antithrombotic effect of atorvastatin. It also indicated that mevalonate pathway may play an important role in TF expression in adipocyte.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Hospital of GuiYang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, PR China. jieqili2003@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Jie-Qi
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shui-Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Quan-Zhong
authors.initials: QZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yun-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Li-Rong
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D013925:Thromboplastin; D000069059:Atorvastatin