title: [Effects of simvastatin on the left ventricular expression of transient outward potassium channel in rabbits with experimental heart failure].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the left ventricular (LV) expression of transient outward potassium channel in rabbits with experimental heart failure (HF).
  
  
  METHODS
  HF model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery of rabbits. Rabbits were randomized into simvastatin group (HF + S, 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 10 weeks, n = 8), HF group (n = 9), and sham group (n = 9). Left ventricular remodeling and function were evaluated by echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements 10 weeks after operation. The mRNA and protein expressions of K(v)1.4, K(v)4.2 and K(v)4.3 potassium channel alpha subunit in LV were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Simvastatin attenuated LV remodeling and improved cardiac function. The mRNA and protein expressions of K(v)1.4, K(v)4.2 and K(v)4.3 potassium channel alpha subunit in HF rabbits (0.48 +/- 0.09, 0.37 +/- 0.07, 0.42 +/- 0.11; 0.33 +/- 0.09, 0.22 +/- 0.07, 0.29 +/- 0.11) were significantly decreased compared with sham rabbits (0.85 +/- 0.08, 0.66 +/- 0.07, 0.67 +/- 0.08; 0.68 +/- 0.13, 0.53 +/- 0.15, 0.49 +/- 0.10, all P < 0.01), and these decreases could be attenuated by simvastatin (0.77 +/- 0.10, 0.50 +/- 0.10, 0.57 +/- 0.12; 0.58 +/- 0.10, 0.36 +/- 0.10, 0.43 +/- 0.12, all P < 0.01 vs. HF).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simvastatin not only attenuated LV remodeling and improved LV function but also prevented the downregulation of LV transient outward potassium channel expressions in rabbits with experimental HF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
authors.forename: Ji-feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Zhi-hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Tan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: Ting-bo
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jian-ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xiang-jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wen-ping
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015221:Potassium Channels; D019821:Simvastatin