Effect of simvastatin on endothelial cell function in a rat model of sepsis / 中华麻醉学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of simvastatin on endothelial cell function in a rat model of sepsis. Methods Ninety-six pathogen-free female Wistar rats aged 4 months weighing 200-250 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 32 each) group sham operation (group Ⅰ ); group sepsis (group Ⅱ )and group simvastatin + sepsis(group Ⅲ ) . Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). In group Ⅲ simvastatin 20 mg/kg was given via a gastric tube once a day for 2 weeks. Blood samples were taken from carotid artery at 3,6, 24 and 48 h ( n = 8 at each time point) for WBC count and measurement of serum E-selectin concentration (by ELISA) . Results CLP significantly increased WBC count and serum E-selectin concentration in group Ⅱ as compared with group Ⅰ . The peak values were reached at 6 h after operation. Simvastatin pretreatment attenuated the sepsis-induced increase in WBC count and serum E-selectin concentration in group Ⅲ. Conclusion Protection of endothelial cell function is involved in the mechanism of treatment of sepsis with simvastatin.