ABSTRACT
Background Neointima formation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty.We hypothesized if atorvastatin inhibits neointima formation mediating decreases in cathepsin S (Cat S) and nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B) expression.Objective The study was aimed to explore the effect of atorvastatin on the neointima formation,Cat S and NF-?B expression in rats after balloon-injured carotid artery.Methods Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly one of three arms:control group(n=8),surgery group(n=8) and atorvastatin group[10 mg/(kg?d),n=8] for 4 weeks.Surgery and atorvastatin group were performed with balloon angioplasty to the left common carotid artery.The serum levels of IL-1? were measured using enzyme-link-immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Carotid arteries were excised and examined with pathomorphology.The expression of Cat S and NF-?B was measured using using the RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry techniques.Results Compared with surgery group,atorvastatin decreased intima area and intima media ratio(I/M)[intima area:(148.6?8.8)?103 vs (64.8?5.1)?103 ?m2;I/M:(2.1?0.2) vs (0.9?0.1),all P