Atorvastatin improves plaque stability in ApoE-knockout mice by regulating chemokines and chemokine receptors.

ABSTRACT: It is well documented that statins protect atherosclerotic patients from inflammatory changes and plaque instability in coronary arteries. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Using a previously established mouse model for vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, we investigated the effect of atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) on plaque morphology. Atorvastatin did not lower plasma total cholesterol levels or affect plaque progression at this dosage; however, vulnerable plaque numbers were significantly reduced in the atorvastatin-treated group compared to control. Detailed examinations revealed that atorvastatin significantly decreased macrophage infiltration and subendothelial lipid deposition, reduced intimal collagen content, and elevated collagenase activity and expression

SUBMITTER: Nie P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4016207 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature