Background and Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on lipid lowering therapy and platelet activation in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia. Methods Fasting serum lipids, CD63, CD41a, serum glucose, hepatic and renal function, routine urine analysis (UA) were measured in 50 healthy subjects, and in 50 elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia before and after 4 weeks treatment with simvastatin (20mg daily for 4 weeks). Results 1. After simvastatin treatment for 4 weeks, the fasting serum level of lipids in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia was significantly lower than before treatment (P＜0.01). 2. CD63 and CD41a were decreased after treatment compared with before, respectively (1.36 0.34) vs (4.26 1.06), (P＜0.01) and (123.54 19.73) vs (253.78 16.75), (P＜0.01).3. Changes in serum lipid level tended to be positively correlated with the declines in CD63 and CD41a, but there was no statistical significance (P＞0.05). Conclusions The results suggested that lipid lowering therapy with simvastatin inhibit platelet activity.

Objective To investigate changes of the elastic modulus of astrocytes induced by injury. Methods The astrocytes were isolated and extracted from the 2-day old SD rats, and identified by immunofluorescence staining with glial fiber acidic protein (GFAP) antibody. Cells were divided into control group and injured group. The injured group was astrocytes 6 h after being injured by the cell damage instrument. The control group was astrocytes without any injury. The elastic modulus in liquid phase was tested by atomic force microscope in two groups. Results were compared and analyzed between two groups. Results The purification rate of rat astrocytes was more than 95%. Six hours after the injury, the astrocytes were in disorder, and some of cell bodies were swelling. The mechanical topographic maps and force indentation curves were obtained. The elastic modulus of astrocytes was significantly increased in injured group compared with that of control group[(1 689±693) Pa vs. (724±283) Pa, P<0.01]. Conclusion The injury stimulus increases the elastic modulus of astrocytes, which provides theoretical basis for understanding intracranial physical microenvironment after traumatic brain injury in animal experiments.