title: Atorvastatin reduces calcification in rat arteries and vascular smooth muscle cells.
abstract: To examine the in vivo effects of atorvastatin (AT) on arterial calcification in rats, arterial calcification was established by subcutaneous injection of vitamin D3 and Warfarin. Intragastric administration of AT began 4 days before establishment of arterial calcification in the AT group (n=6). Blood samples were taken and abdominal aortas were collected and stained. After induction of calcification, plasma Ca(2+) levels in the CA and AT groups were significantly higher than those before treatment and in the untreated controls. Plasma Ca(2+) levels in the AT group were significantly lower than in the CA group. The relative calcification area in aortic specimens from the AT group was significantly smaller than in the CA group. Rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VMSC) were isolated from abdominal aortic segments and pre-treated with AT (1, 5, or 10 μM) for 24 hr. Cells in the calcification (CA) group and the AT group were cultured with β-glycerophosphate, insulin and vitamin C for 14 days to induce cell calcification. Calcium deposition and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased in the CA group compared to untreated controls (p<0.01). This effect was ameliorated by AT (all p<0.01). In vivo administration of AT reduced arterial calcification and plasma Ca(2+) concentration. In vitro, AT reduced calcification markers in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cardiology and Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui-ren
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yan-hong
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Rong-qing
authors.initials: RQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Guoliang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Hai-chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014807:Vitamin D; D014859:Warfarin
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D014807:Vitamin D; D014859:Warfarin; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002118:Calcium