ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effects of simvastatin on the protein expressions of urokinase-typeplasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Methods Male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into saline group , LPS group and LPS plus simvastatin group , and were then pretreated with simvastatin (1 mg/kg) for 30 minutes before addition of LPS (8 mg/kg). Changes in left ventricular pressure were recorded. Ninety minutes after LPS injection, whole blood was collected from the inferior vena cava, and neutrophils were separated. The neutrophils were then lysed to detect levels of uPA and PAI-1. Results Left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP: mmHg), maximal differential of left ventricular pressure (+dp/dtmax:mmHg/s), and heart rate (beats/min) were markedly decreased at different time points after administration of LPS, and maximal differential of left ventricular pressure increased in the rats receiving LPS as compared with those receiving saline, although the differences between the control and LPS groups were not statistically significant. LPS caused a great decline in uPA content and an elevation in PAI-1 content in neutrophils, but simvastatin diminished the impact of LPS on neutrophils. Conclusion Simvastatin plays a role in protection of cardiac function in rats with LPS-induced septic shock , and controls expressions of uPA and PAI-1 in neutrophils.