ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the influences of statin treatment on MR vessel wall imagingobserved characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque in the thoracic aorta of the elderly.Methods Elderly subjects (≥ 60 years) without any serious cerebro-cardiovascular diseases were recruited.Thoracic aorta was imaged on MR scanner for all the subjects.The plaque burden was calculated quantitatively,the composition of plaque in thoracic aorta was evaluated qualitatively,and the contributions of statin treatment to these characteristics were also compared by image interpretation personals.The thoracic aorta was divided into three segments (AAO:ascending aorta;AOA:aortic arch,and DOA:descending aorta)on the imaging.Results Totally 55 recruited subjects had atherosclerotic plaque in thoracic aorta,with 24 subjects receiving statin treatment,and 50 ％ (12/24) male,aged 73.8±6.3 years.The level of LDL C[(2.4±0.7)mmol/L vs.(3.1±0.8)mmol/L(P＜ 0.01)]and total cholesterol[(4.4±0.6)mmol/L vs.(5.1 ±1.0)mmol/L(P＜0.01)]were significantly lower in statin group than in non-statin group.The lumen area,wall area,and total vessel area in all three segments of thoracic aorta were significantly smaller in statin group(all P＜0.05)than in nonstatin group.The average wall thickness in segment of AOA[(2.7±0.3)mm vs.(2.8±0.4)mm(P＜0.01)]and DAO[(2.5±0.4)mm vs.(2.6±0.5)mm(P＜0.01)]were smaller in statin group than in non-statin group.The incidence rate of intraplaque hemorrhage / mural thrombus [6 cases (25.0％) vs.8 cases(25.8 ％)]in thoracic aorta was a little lower in statin group than in non-statin group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).Conclusions Statin treatment decreases LDL-C level,reduces the burden of atherosclerotic plaque in thoracic aorta,and maintains the atherosclerotic plaque stability.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:The effects and molecular mechanism of simvastatin on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts remain unclear. Especial y, we do not know much about the effects of connexin 43. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of simvastatin on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and the regulatory effect of simvastatin on the expression of osteogenic genes and connexin 43. METHODS:Newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen and the cranium digestion method was used to culture osteoblasts. The different concentrations of simvastatin (0.062 5, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0μmol/L) were used to deal with osteoblasts. The proliferative effect of simvastatin on osteoblasts was measured with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. The effect of simvastatin on osteoblast differentiation was measured with alkaline phosphatase activities. The mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic genes and connexin 43 were measured by real time quantitative RT-PCR and western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were no significant differences in absorbance values of simvastatin groups at 3 days (P>0.05). However, at 4 and 5 days, absorbance values were lower in the simvastatin groups than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, alkaline phosphatase activities of osteoblasts were greater in the simvastatin groups (P<0.05). Moreover, the effects of 0.25μmol/L simvastatin on alkaline phosphatase activities of osteoblasts were most significant. Osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase activities, type I col agen and connexin 43 mRNA and protein expressions were increased after treatment with 0.25μmol/L simvastatin (P<0.05). These results indicated that simvastatin may inhibit the proliferation and improve the differentiation of osteoblasts by upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of osteogenic genes and connexin 43. These data may provide the new intervention target for osteoporosis treated with statins.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of different doses of atorvastatin combined with probucol on contrast induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) and serum uric acid in elderly patients.Methods Totally 121 cases admitted for coronary angioplasty were randomly divided into three groups.In standard combining treatment group (n＝35),atorvastatin 20 mg qn and probucol 0.25 g,tid were given with no loading dose intake before angioplasty.In intensively combined treatment group (n＝41),atorvastatin 40mg qn and probucol 0.25 g,tid were given with a loading dose of atorvastatin 40 mg and probucol 0.5 g at 2 hours before angioplasty.In intensive atorvastatin therapy group(n＝45),atorvastatin 40 mg qn were given,with a loading dose of atorvastatin 40 mg 2 hours before angioplasty.All patients were then evaluated 24 hours before and after angioplasty procedure,and their blood urea nitrogen (BUN),serum creatinine (Scr),serum uric acid (SUA),estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by modified diet in renal disease study (MDRD) method were tested.The serum and urine at 24 hours before and after operation were collected.Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) were determinated by enzyme linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA) method.Results After operation,eGFR was decreased in standard combining treatment group [(76.2±14.3) ml· min-1 · 1.73 m-2 vs.(71.9±17.9) ml· min-1 · 1.73 m-2,P＜0.05],while Scr,eGFR and uNGAL showed no changes in intensively combining treatment group and intensive atorvastatin therapy group (P＞0.05) ; BUN in the two groups was decreased [(5.6± 1.4)mmol/L vs.(4.7±0.9) mmol/L,(5.3±1.2) mmol/L vs.(4.8±1.2) mmol/L,P＜0.01,P＜0.05].SUA was reduced in intensively combining treatment group (P ＜ 0.05).uNGAL was increased in standard combining treatment group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions For elderly patients,intensive atorvastatin therapy and combining intensive treatment can both improve CIAKI.Only combination and intensive treatment benefit for decrease of uric acid.