OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of atorvastatin on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes (MC) and the changes of mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha, gamma (PPAR alpha, gamma) subtypes in vitro.

METHODSHypertrophy in neonatal rat MC was established with Ang II and treated with atorvastatin. The surface area of MC was analyzed by the aid of NIH Image J software, and the synthetic rate of protein in MC was detected by (3)H-leucine incorporation. mRNA expression of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9, MMP2, interleukin1beta (IL-1beta) and PPARalpha, gamma was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSChanges of MC were detected induced by Ang II, including increases in surface area, mRNA expression of ANP, BNP, MMP9, MMP2 and IL-1beta, and (3)H-leucine incorporation, as well as a decrease in mRNA expression of PPARalpha, gamma. Treatment with atorvastatin inhibited the changes above in a dose-dependent manner, but no change was found in treated with DMSO.

CONCLUSIONAtorvastatin inhibits cardiac hypertrophy in vitro. It is suggested that atorvastatin has a potential role in the prevention and treatment of cardiac diseases such as cardiac hypertrophy, and PPAR alpha and gamma maybe involved in this process.