Effects of atorvastatin on ADP-, arachidonic acid-, collagen-, and epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation

Objective Atorvastatin reduces the incidence of cardiovascular events. However, the effects of atorvastatin on platelet aggregation are unknown. Methods Blood samples were obtained from 126 healthy volunteers. Prepared isolated platelet suspensions were adjusted with saline to three different concentrations of 100 × 10 9 , 300 × 10 9 , and 600 × 10 9 platelets/L. Platelet samples were incubated with atorvastatin (10 −7 mol/L, 10 −6 mol/L or 10 −5 mol/L), and stimulated with ADP (10 µmol/L), arachidonic acid (0.5 mmol/L), collagen (2 µg/mL), and epinephrine (1 mg/mL). The maximal amplitude of aggregation and the curve slope were measured by electric impedance aggregometry. Results Atorvastatin inhibited platelet aggregation at moderate (300 × 10 9 /L) and high (600 × 10 9 /L) concentrations. However, an inhibitory effect of atorvastatin at low concentrations (100 × 10 9 /L) was not observed. Conclusions The study shows that atorvastatin inhibits platelet aggregation in vitro, and this inhibitory effect is related to platelet concentrations.