title: Acute vascular effects of atorvastatin in hypertensive men: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Statins have multiple pleiotropic effects that are independent of their cholesterol-lowering properties including rapid improvement of endothelial function in vitro. Hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysfunction and we hypothesized that a single-dose of atorvastatin may have an acute effect on vascular function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) and endothelium-independent vasodilation were assessed with venous occlusion plethysmography during intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine (ACH) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), respectively, in 13 hypertensive men after wash-out from antihypertensive medication. Vasoconstrictive responses were evaluated in response to angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion. The protocol was repeated 1 h after 80 mg oral atorvastatin (ATV; Lipitor(®)).
  
  
  RESULTS
  ATV treatment significantly increased baseline forearm blood flow from 3.38 (0.27) to 4.31 (0.35) ml/min/100 ml tissue (p < 0.05). ATV did not affect ACH-induced EDV. Forearm vascular resistance in response to SNP was significantly lowered by ATV (p < 0.05). Vasoconstriction in response to Ang II was significantly inhibited by ATV treatment (p = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The observed acute statin effects in hypertension appear to be endothelium-independent and related to vascular smooth muscle cell function. These actions may in part contribute to the beneficial pleiotropic effects of statin therapy even in the acute in vivo setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital , Gothenburg , Sweden.
authors.forename: Ott
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Saluveer
authors.forename: Niklas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bergh
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grote
authors.forename: Ove
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Thórdis J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Hrafnkelsdóttir
authors.forename: Bengt R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Widgren
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000804:Angiotensin II; D000069059:Atorvastatin