Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2001;21:115-121
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.
Atherosclerosis and Lipoproteins |
Simvastatin Has Anti-Inflammatory and Antiatherosclerotic Activities Independent of Plasma Cholesterol Lowering
From the Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ.
Correspondence to Carl P. Sparrow, Merck Research Laboratories, Building 80 W, 126 E. Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ 07065. E-mail Carl_Sparrow{at}Merck.com
Abstract—Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, such as simvastatin, lower circulating cholesterol levels and prevent myocardial infarction. Several studies have shown an unexpected effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on inflammation. Here, we confirm that simvastatin is anti-inflammatory by using a classic model of inflammation: carrageenan-induced foot pad edema. Simvastatin administered orally to mice 1 hour before carrageenan injection significantly reduced the extent of edema. Simvastatin was comparable to indomethacin in this model. To determine whether the anti-inflammatory activity of simvastatin might affect atherogenesis, simvastatin was tested in mice deficient in apoE. Mice were dosed daily for 6 weeks with simvastatin (100 mg/kg body wt). Simvastatin did not alter plasma lipids. Atherosclerosis was quantified through the measurement of aortic cholesterol content. Aortas from control mice (n=20) contained 56±4 nmol total cholesterol/mg wet wt tissue, 38±2 nmol free cholesterol/mg, and 17±2 nmol cholesteryl ester/mg. Simvastatin (n=22) significantly (P<0.02) decreased these 3 parameters by 23%, 19%, and 34%, respectively. Histology of the atherosclerotic lesions showed that simvastatin did not dramatically alter lesion morphology. These data support the hypothesis that simvastatin has antiatherosclerotic activity beyond its plasma cholesterol–lowering activity.
Key Words: atherosclerosis • apoE • mice • HMG-CoA reductase • inflammation
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