RESUMO
Background Rare studies on the effect of statin on early stage of atherosclerosis have been repor- ted.Oxidative stress induced endothelial dysfunction may be the initiative factor for the development of atheroscle- rotic plague.Objective To investigate the mechanisms by which simvastatin,prevents atheroselerosis independ- ently of its lipid-lowering effect in Apolipoprotein E deficient mice.Methods Twenty-four 6 week old male apoE- deficient mice were randomly to receive placebo or simvastatin 5 mg/(kg?d)by gavage for 4 weeks.Total choles- terol(TC),super oxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA)and serum nitric oxide(NO)were measured by biochemical analysis.Endothelium was observed by HE dyeing.The expression of caveolin-1 in aortic wall was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results There was no significant difference in serum TC between control and simvastatin treatment groups.Simvastatin caused less damaged endothelium(33.33% vs control's:75%,P