Simvastatin improves left ventricular function after myocardial infarction in hypercholesterolemic rabbits by anti-inflammatory effects

Abstract

Hypercholesterolemia further impaired the depressed LV function in rabbits post-MI. Statin treatment reversed this effect, and conferred additional protection, as in normocholesterolemic animals. Our study suggests that anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of simvastatin substantially contribute to its beneficial effects on cardiac function after MI.

Ameliorative effect of statin therapy on oxidative damage in heart tissue of hypercholesterolemic rabbits

“…Pearson's correlation coefficients between PCO and GSH levels in heart tissue of the cholesterol-fed rabbits (r = À0.843, P = 0.002) are shown in Figure 2. Consistent with our previous work as well as with other reports [11][12][13][14][15], the present study demonstrated that the coexistence of severe hypercholesterolemia enhanced oxidative stress and atherogenesis in the cholesterol-rich diet-induced model. As it was expected, the hypercholesterolemic diet group had higher TC and LDL levels than the normal-diet group.…”

“…These results were consistent with previous findings [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] and further supported the concept of the pleiotropic vascular protection effects of atorvastatin in hypercholesterolemia. Atorvastatin treatment caused a decrease in MDA, whereas the high-cholesterol diet increased MDA of blood and heart tissue in cholesterol-rich diet-induced rabbits.…”

Most appropriate animal models to study the efficacy of statins: a systematic review

“…). There were 18 studies on mice , 61 on rats , and 41 on rabbits . This corresponds to 66 (55%) prospective controlled trials and 54 (45%) randomized controlled trials (RCTs).…”

Atorvastatin Improves Endothelial Function and Cardiac Performance in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy: The Role of Inflammation

“…Apart from their lipid-lowering capabilities, statins seem to have multiple other effects, including a reduction of systemic inflammation [17] and alleviation of myocardial oxidative stress [18], which do not appear to be dosedependent [19]. Also, they modulate endothelium-derived factors [20].…”