title: Effect of pitavastatin on vascular reactivity in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pitavastatin is the newest statin available in Brazil and likely the one with fewer side effects. Thus, pitavastatin was evaluated in hypercholesterolemic rabbits in relation to its action on vascular reactivity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the lowest dose of pitavastatin necessary to reduce plasma lipids, cholesterol and tissue lipid peroxidation, as well as endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty rabbits divided into six groups (n = 5): G1 - standard chow diet; G2 - hypercholesterolemic diet for 30 days; G3 - hypercholesterolemic diet and after the 16th day, diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.1 mg); G4 - hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.25 mg); G5 - hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (0.5 mg); G6 - hypercholesterolemic diet supplemented with pitavastatin (1.0 mg). After 30 days, total cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, glucose, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured and LDL was calculated. In-depth anesthesia was performed with sodium thiopental and aortic segments were removed to study endothelial function, cholesterol and tissue lipid peroxidation. The significance level for statistical tests was 5%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total cholesterol and LDL were significantly elevated in relation to G1. HDL was significantly reduced in G4, G5 and G6 when compared to G2. Triglycerides, CK, AST, ALT, cholesterol and tissue lipid peroxidation showed no statistical difference between G2 and G3-G6. Significantly endothelial dysfunction reversion was observed in G5 and G6 when compared to G2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pitavastatin starting at a 0.5 mg dose was effective in reverting endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eros Antonio de
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Michiko Regina
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ozaki
mesh_terms: D032761:Animal Experimentation; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D011804:Quinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011804:Quinolines; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; C108475:pitavastatin