title: Atorvastatin increases expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor mRNA in human circulating mononuclear cells.
abstract: 1. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors, or statins, are commonly used to lower plasma cholesterol levels. HMGCR and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (LDLR) are of central importance to cholesterol homeostasis and yet there is a paucity of data on the effect of statins on the regulation of the LDLR and HMGCR in humans. 2. In the present study, we examined the effect of atorvastatin on the expression of HMGCR, LDLR and LDLR-related protein (LRP) mRNA in circulating mononuclear cells. Twelve human volunteers were treated with atorvastatin, 20 mg/day for 4 weeks. 3. Atorvastatin decreased plasma total and LDL-cholesterol by 29% (P < 0.0001) and 41% (P < 0.001), respectively, and increased LDLR mRNA abundance, in absolute terms, by 35% (P < 0.001) and 31% (P < 0.0001) and 37% (P = 0.01) relative to reference GAPDH and beta-actin mRNA, respectively. In contrast, atorvastatin had no significant effect on LRP or HMGCR mRNA levels. 4. The increase in LDLR mRNA in circulating mononuclear cells agrees with the few human studies conducted, as well as with in vitro and animal studies, whereas the unchanged HMGCR mRNA is consistent with the hepatic specificity of atorvastatin. The present study firmly documents an increase in LDLR mRNA levels in response to statin administration in normal humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Immunology and Biochemical Genetics, Royal Perth Hospital, Schools of Surgery and Pathology and Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Anothai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pocathikorn
authors.forename: Roger R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Cyril D S
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Mamotte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D026502:LDL-Receptor Related Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D026502:LDL-Receptor Related Proteins; D011758:Pyrroles; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases