Intervention effect of atorvastatin on vascular endothelial growth factor in atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits
MA Ye
MA Jian-fang
GUAN Rui-jin
Abstract：Objective To investigate the influences of atorvastatin on levels of blood fat, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and expression of VEGF protein in rabbit model of atherosclerosis.Methods Male New Zealand rabbits (n=20) were divided into control group, model group, low-dose atorvastatin group and high-dose atorvastatin group according to random digits table. The control group was fed normal fodder, and other three groups were fed fatty fodder. After 4 w, low-dose atorvastatin group was given 5 mg/(kg.d) atorvastatin and high-dose atorvastatin group was given 10 mg/(kg.d). The levels of serum TG, TC, LDL-C and VEGF were detected on the 0 w, 6th w and 12th w respectively. After 12 w, the changes of atherosclerosis were observed and expressions of VEGF protein and VEGF mRNA in atherosclerotic plaques were detected after HE staining.Results Compared with control group, the levels of LDL-C, TG, TC and VEGF increased significantly in other three groups (P<0.01) on the 6th w and 12th w. Compared with model group, the levels of LDL-C, TG, TC and VEGF decreased significantly in two atorvastatin groups on the 6th w and 12th w, which were more significant in high-dose atorvastatin group (P<0.05). At the same time, the expressions of VEGF protein and VEGF mRNA all decreased atherosclerotic plaques.Conclusion Atorvastatin can reduce the level of blood fat showing a dose-dependence, and down-regulate the expression of VEGF in atherosclerotic plaques.
Keywords：AtherosclerosisVascular endothelial growth factorAtorvastatinRabbits
Publication Date：2013-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 649-651 )