Objective To investigative the effects of combination treatment with simvastatin and aspirin in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. Methods Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, a simvastatin group, an aspirin group, and a combination treatment group. The control group received monocrotaline injection subcutaneously to induce pulmonary hypertension. Simvastatin ( 2 mg/kg) , aspirin ( 1 mg/kg) , or simvastatin ( 2 mg/kg) + aspirin ( 1 mg/kg) was administered once daily to the rats of treatment groups respectively for 28 days after monocrotaline injection. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure ( mPAP) was detected by right heart catheter.Right ventricular hypertrophy index ( RVHI) was calculated as the right ventricle to the left ventricle plus septum weight. Histopathology changes of small intrapulmonary arteries were evaluated via image analysissystem. Interleukin-6 ( IL-6) level in lung tissue was determined by ELISA.Results Compared with the control group, simvastatin or aspirin decreased mPAP [ ( 34. 1 ±8. 4) mm Hg, ( 38. 3 ±7. 1) mmHg vs.( 48. 4 ±7. 8) mmHg] and increased arterial wall diameter significantly ( P lt; 0. 05) . The combination treatment group showed more significant improvement in mPAP, RVHI and pulmonary arterial remodeling compared with each monotherapy ( P lt;0. 05) . Moreover, the combination therapy had additive effects on the increases in lung IL-6 levels and the perivascular inflammation score. Conclusions Combination therapy with simvastatin and aspirin is superior in preventing the development of pulmonary hypertension. The additive effect of combination therapy is suggested to be ascribed to anti-inflammation effects.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of simvastatin and mechanical pretreatment on intimal hyperplasia of venous graft and its mechanism.MethodsTwelve New Zealand rabbits were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups: a blank control group, a simvastatin topical treatment group, a mechanical precondition group and a combined group (n=3 in each group). Ultrasound was used to evaluate the changes of graft wall and blood flow velocity in the graft, and pathological section was used to evaluate the intimal hyperplasia. Human umbilical cord endodermal cells were cultured in vitro. A simvastatin group and a solvent control group were set to detect YAP phosphorylation, downstream target gene expression and cell proliferation.ResultsVascular ultrasound showed that except the simvastatin topical treatment group, the flow velocity in vein grafts in the other three groups significantly increased 21 days after surgery compared with 7 days after surgery (P<0.01). Pathological sections showed that the thickness of new intima in the simvastatin topical treatment group, mechanical precondition group, combined group and blank control group were 45.56±4.11 μm, 201.28±16.71 μm, 143.57±7.82 μm, 249.45±13.33 μm, respectively, and there were statistical differences compared with the blank control group (P<0.05). In vitro results showed that compared with the solvent control group, cell death was observed in high concentration simvastatin (5 mmol/L) group, cell proliferation was inhibited in low concentration simvastatin (2.5 mmol/L) group (P<0.05), the expression of YAP protein in the simvastatin group was unchanged, but the expression of phosphorylated YAP protein significantly increased (P<0.05), and the expression of downstream target gene ccn1 was down-regulated (P<0.001).ConclusionIntravascular local application of simvastatin and mechanical preconditioning alone or in combination can inhibit intimal hyperplasia of venous graft. High concentration of simvastatin has cytotoxicity, while low concentration of simvastatin has inhibitory effect on cell proliferation. Simvastatin can inhibit the formation of new intima by inhibiting the entry of YAP into the nucleus and reducing the transcription of cell proliferation-related target gene ccn1.
目的：研究羟甲戊二酰辅酶A还原酶抑制剂辛伐他汀治疗慢性肾功能不全的临床疗效。方法：选择慢性肾功能衰竭患者共40例，随机分成两组，在原有基础治疗上治疗组20例患者予以辛伐他汀治疗，对照组20例单纯以基础治疗，在24周时监测TC、TG、24 h尿蛋白、Scr、BUN、C-反应蛋白的值。结果：与治疗前相比，两组TC、TG、24 h尿蛋白、Scr、BUN、C-反应蛋白均明显下降，与对照组相比，治疗组血脂有显著下降（P＜0.01）而且24h尿蛋白、Scr、BUN、C-反应蛋白均明显下降(P＜0.05)。结论：辛伐他汀能降低蛋白尿，延缓慢性肾功能不全的进展
OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of simvastatin on the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and alkaline phosphates (ALP) activity in the primary cultured bone marrow stromal cells, and to elucidate the mechanism of the anabolic osteogenetic effect of simvastatin. METHODS: Bone marrow stromal cells in femur and tibia of adult mouse were cultured in vitro. after treated with different concentrations of simvastatin (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mumol/L) or recombinant human BMP-2 for 72 hours, ALP activity of bone marrow stromal cells was determined. BMP-2 expression of bone marrow stromal cells was analyzed by using immunocytochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: After treated with simvastatin for 72 hours, BMP-2 expression increased, while little BMP-2 expression could be observed in the control group. ALP activity also increased in a dose-dependent manner; t-test showed that ALP activity in the group which concentrations of simvastatin were 0.5 mumol/L (t = 2.35, P = 0.041), 1.0 mumol/L (t = 2.348, P = 0.041) had significant difference when compared with control group. CONCLUSION: Simvastatin lead to high expression of BMP-2 in bone marrow stromal cells, via the increased auto- or para-crine of BMP-2, and ALP activity increased. These may be parts of the mechanism on the anabolic osteogenetic effect of simvastatin.
目的:观察辛伐他汀、吡格列酮和苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平联合治疗代谢综合征疗效。方法:76例初诊代谢综合征患者,服用吡格列酮15mg/d、苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平25mg/d、辛伐他汀10mg/d,疗程1个月。观察治疗前后血压、腰围、体重指数、血糖、血胰岛素、血尿酸和血脂水平等变化。结果:患者治疗后血糖、血脂、胰岛素水平、血压均明显降低,差别有统计学意义(Plt;001)。腰围、体重指数略有下降,无统计学意义,血尿酸变化不明显。结论:吡格列酮、辛伐他汀和苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平联合治疗代谢综合征能够改善胰岛素抵抗和代谢异常,疗效可靠、服药简单、依从性好,效价比合理,无不良反应。
【Abstract】 Objective To approach the possibil ity of combination of simvastatin and BMSCs transplantation forsteroid-associated osteonecrosis of femoral head. Methods The BMSCs harvested from 24 rabbits were prepared for cell suspension at a concentration of 1 × 107/mL, and combined with gelatin sponge. Seventy New Zealand white rabbits received one intravenous injection of l ipopolysaccharide (10 μg/ kg). After 24 hours, three injections of 20 mg/kg of methylprednisolone were given intramuscularly at a time interval of 24 hours. Forty-eight rabbits diagnosed as having femoral head necrosis by MRI were divided into 4 groups randomly, group A: no treatment; group B: only decompression; group C: decompression and BMSCs transplantation; and group D: simvastatin drench (10 mg/kg.d) decompression and BMSCs transplantation. The general information of animals were recorded; after 4 and 8 weeks of operation, 6 rabbits of each group were chosen randomly to do MRI scan, and femoral heads were harvested to do histopathology and scanning electron microscope examination. Results After 8 weeks, rabbits became more active than before treatment, and walking way became normal gradually in groups C and D. Fourweeks after operation, the MRI low signal region of all groups had no obvious changes, but 8 weeks later, the necrosis signal region of group A magnified while it reduced obviously in group D. Histopathological observation: 4 weeks after operation, diffuse presence of empty lacunae and pyknotic nuclei of osteocytes were found in the trabeculae, and few newborn micrangium could been seen in group A; lots of empty lacunae and a small quantity of newborn micrangium could been found in group B; and large amounts of osteoblats and newborn micrangium were found around the necrosis regions in groups C and D. The positive ratio of empty lacunae and microvessel density in group D were 19.30 ± 1.52 and 7.08 ± 1.09, showing significant difference compared with other groups (P lt; 0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, the bone trabecula collapsed in many regions in group A; there was fibra callus formation along the decompression channel in group B; few empty lacunae was in the bone trabecular, but the shape of marrow cavity was not normal in group C; and it showed almost normal appearance in group D. The positive ratio of empty lacunae and microvessel density in group D were 11.31 ± 1.28 and 12.37 ± 1.32, showing significant differences compared with other groups (P lt; 0.05), meanwhile, showing significant difference compared with that of 4 weeks after operation(P lt; 0.05). Scanning electron microscope: 8 weeks after operation, the bone trabecula collapsed in many regions, and few osteoblasts could be found on the surface, a great quantity of fat cells cumulated in the bone marrow in group A; cracked bone trabecula could be found occasionally in group B; the density of bone trabecula was lower than the normal in group C; and the shape of the marrow avity and thedensity of bone trabecula were similar to the normal in group D. Conclusion Simvastatin can promote the differentiation of osteocyte and vascular endothel ial cell from MSCs, the combination of simvastatin and marrow stem cells transplantation for the treatment of steroid-associated osteonecrosis of femoral head have good appl ication prospects.
Objective To investigate the effects of simvastatin on lung tissue in septic rats by observing the protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-κB) and pathologic changes in lung tissue at different time points. Methods 90 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups ( n =30 in each group) . All the rats received administration by caudal vein and capacity volume is 2 mL. The rats in the control group were treated with saline ( 2 mL) . The rats in the LPS group were treated with LPS ( 5 mg/kg ) . The rats in the simvastatin group were treated with LPS ( 5 mg/kg) and simvastatin ( 20 mg/kg) . Six rats in each group were killed randomly at 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours after the injection, and the right middle lobe of lung was taken out. Pathological changes of lung tissue wee investigated under light microscope. The expression of NF-κB in lung tissue was determined by immunohistochemistry ( IHC) method. Results Microscopic studies showed that there were not pathological changes in the lung tissue of rats in the control group. While in the LPS group, the alveolar spaces were narrowed and the alveolar wall were thickened. Furthermore, severe interstitial edema of lung and proliferation of epithelial cells were observed. In the simvastatin group, the degree of the infiltration of leukocytes and the lung interstitial edema were less severe than those in the simvastatin group. In the control group, the expression of NF-κB protein in most of lung tissue was negative. In the LPS group, the expression of NF-κB protein was detected at 2h, andreached the peak at 6h, then decreased at 12h. In the Simvastatin group, the NF-κB expression was significantly lower than that in the LPS group at all time points ( P lt; 0. 01) . Conclusion Simvastatin can ameliorate pathological lesions and decrease expression of NF-κB in lung tissue of septic rats.
Objective To evaluate the mechanisms of p42/p44 kinase phosphorylation in cell models and to investigate the effect of simvastatin on the prevention and treatment of aseptic loosening of prosthesis by observing the influence of simvastatin on the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) of human peri pheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) challenged with titanium particles. Methods PBMC from 45 mL peripheral blood of healthy adult voluntary donators, were separated and cultured, and divided into 5 groups according to different culturemedium: group A, PBMC and titanium particles; group B, PBMC and titanium particles with 1 × 10-5 mol/L simvastatin; group C, PBMC and titanium particles with 1 × 10-6 mol/L simvastatin; group D, PBMC and titanium particles with 1 × 10-7 mol/L simvastatin; and group E, PBMC and titanium particles with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) inhibitor U0126. The contents of TNF-α and MCP-1 were tested by ELISA after 24 hours of culture. PBMC were pretreated with different medium grouping as groups A, B, C, D, and E for 60 minutes, and were challenged with titanium particles for 30 minutes and 60 minutes, then the level of ERK1/2 expression was tested by Western blot. Results In groups A, B, C, D, and E, the absorbance (A) values of TNF-α were 1.115 5 ± 0.243 6, 0.693 6 ± 0.354 3, 0.695 7 ± 0.387 3, 0.716 4 ± 0.478 9, and 0.263 5 ± 0.101 6, respectively; and the A values of MCP-1 were 1.421 0 ± 0.105 3, 0.915 1 ± 0.411 3, 1.003 5 ± 0.464 2, 1.102 0 ± 0.353 9, and 0.271 3 ± 0.145 1, respectively. The levels of TNF-α and MCP-1 in group A were significantly higher than others, showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). There were significant differences between group E and groups B, C, and D (P lt; 0.05), between group B and groups C, D (P lt; 0.05); no significant difference between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). Western blot results showed the expression of ERK1/2 in all groups at 30 minutes and 60 minutes of culture. The levels of ERK1/2 expression were 1.612 1 ± 0.068 2, 1.078 1 ± 0.072 8, 1.268 7 ± 0.223 1, 1.439 7 ± 0.180 1, and 0.732 0 ± 0.110 4 in groups A, B, C, D, and E, respectively; showing significant differences between groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion ERK1/2 is a phosphorylated protein after stimulated by wear particles; it is also one of the most important cell signal ing activation of macrophage. Simvastatin can inhibit the expression of bone absorptive factors induced by wear particles and may be used in the prevention and treatment of aseptic loosening of prosthesis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effect of simvastatin on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) at middle/late stages by p38MAPK pathway under condition of osteoinductive environment. MethodsThe bone marrow of bilateral femur and tibia were harvested from 20 4-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats. BMSCs were isolated and cultured with whole bone marrow culture method; the second generation of cells were randomly divided into 5 groups: control group (complete medium, CM), simvastatin group (simvastatin medium, SIM), osteogenic induction group (osteogenic induction medium, OM), simvastatin and osteogenic induction group (simvastatin+osteogenic induction medium, OM+SIM), and blocker group (SB203580+simvastatin+osteogenic induction medium, OM+SIM+SB). MTT assay was used to detect the cell activity in CM group and SIM group at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days, ELISA method to measure the content of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in OM group and OM+SIM group at 7 and 14 days. The mRNA and protein expressions of osteocalcin (OCN) were detected by real-time quatitative PCR and Western blot after 1, 12, and 24 hours of osteogenic induction at 21 and 28 days. The protein expressions of phospho-p38 (p-p38) and p38 in OM group, OM+SIM group, and OM+SIM+SB group were detected by Western blot at the best induction time of simvastatin. ResultsMTT assay showed that no significant difference was found in absorbance (A) value between CM group and SIM group at each time point (P > 0.05), indicating no effect of 1×10-7 mol/L simvastatin on cell viability. ELISA results showed that ALP content significantly increased in OM+SIM group when compared with OM group at 7 and 14 days; the ALP content was significantly higher at 7 days than 14 days in OM group and OM+SIM group (P < 0.05). OCN mRNA and protein expressions at 12 hours were significantly higher than those at other time points in each group (P < 0.05), and the expressions of OM+SIM group was significantly higher than those of OM group (P < 0.05). The best induction time of simvastatin was 12 hours. At 12 hours after blocking intervention, the p-p38/p38 in OM+SIM+SB group was significantly lower than that in OM group and OM+SIM group (P < 0.05), and the p-p38/p38 in OM+SIM group was significantly higher than that in OM group (P < 0.05). ConclusionSimvastatin can increase the mRNA and protein expression levels of OCN and the protein of p-p38 in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs at middle/ late stages, and its best induction time is 12 hours.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of simvastatin 40 mg daily use in treatment of coronary heart disease. Methods The study was designed as before-after study in the same patients. One hundred and sixty seven patients with coronary heart disease were prescribed simvastatin 40 mg daily for 3 and 6 months. Total cholestero (TC), low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerldes (TG), ALT and creatine kinase (CK) in serum before therapy and at the end of 3 months and 6 months treatment were dectected. Continuous data were analyzed by standard difference of blocked randomization and described by mean±SD. Dunnet-t test was used for multiple comparison of trial and control groups. Statistical difference was set up at P＜0.05. Success rate was assessed by chi square test at the end of 3 and 6 months treatment. Results Simvastatin 40 mg/d significantly decreased the level of TC (P＜0.000 5), LDL-C (P＜0.000 5), TG (P＜0.05), and could elevate HDL-C (P＜0.05). There were 39.5% of patients whose LDL-C reduced below 70 mg/dl. One patient whose CK raised 5.6 times of upper line of normal range and 4 patients whose ALT raised more than 2 times of upper line of normal range withdrew. The reliability of simvastatin 40 mg/d was relatively good. Conclusions Simvastatin 40 mg/d could significantly improve the lipid profile, and is relatively reliable in treatment of coronary heart disease.