ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the effect of atorvastatin on the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in cultured human pulmonary epithelial cells (A549). Methods A549 cells were incubated in the medium containing LPS and different concentrations of atorvastatin(0,10,15,20?M/ml, respectively) for 12h. Then the total cellular RNA and proteins from the cells treated with different experimental conditions were extracted for RT-PCR and western blot analysis,respectively. Results In cultured human pulmonary epithelial cells, atorvastatin reduced the expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion Atorvastatin may down-regulate LPS-induced COX-2 expression in cultured human pulmonary epithelial cells.