OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of atorvastatin on left ventricular remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and to explore its possible mechanism involved.

METHODSTen eight-week-old SHR were randomized into distilled water group (SHR(DW) group, n=5) and atorvastatin treated group (SHR(ATV) group, n=5); the age-matched wistar-kyoto rats (WKY) were used as controls (WKY group, n=5). TUNEL technology and immunohistochemistry method were respectively used to detect the apoptotic rate and P27 protein expression in cardiomyocytes. Colorimetric method was used to measure myocardial hydroxyproline (Hyp) content. Meanwhile, left ventricular weight to body weight ratio (LVW/BW), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and serum lipids levels were examined.

RESULTAfter 10 weeks treatment with atorvastatin, LVW/BW ratio and myocardial Hyp content in SHR(ATV) group were markedly decreased compared to SHR(DW) group (P<0.01); the apoptotic rate and P27 protein expression in cardiomyocytes in SHR(ATV) group were much higher than those in SHR(DW) group (P<0.01). In addition, compared with before treatment and SHR(DW)group, SBP in SHR(ATV) group was markedly decreased (P<0.01). The serum lipids levels in SHR(ATV) group were also markedly lower than those in SHR(DW) group and WKY group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAdministration of atorvastatin can prevent left ventricular remodeling in SHR, and the possible mechanism involved might be associated with its ability to facilitate cardiomyocytes apoptosis, upregulate P27 protein expression and reduce myocardial Hyp content.