[Effects of simvastatin on the left ventricular expression of transient outward potassium channel in rabbits with experimental heart failure].
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.
Yan
Ji-feng
JF
Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
Liu
Zhi-hua
ZH
Jiang
Bin
B
Chen
Tan
T
Hui
Jie
J
Jiang
Ting-bo
TB
Song
Jian-ping
JP
Yang
Xiang-jun
XJ
Jiang
Wen-ping
WP
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*
D015221:Potassium Channels; D019821:Simvastatin