Effects of Atorvastatin on Vascular Intimal Hyperplasia: An Experimental Rodent Model

Introduction Vascular intimal hyperplasia is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. The authors investigated the effects of atorvastatin on vascular intimal hyperplasia. Materials and methods Rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 had experimental aortic injury and received intraperitoneal injection of atorvastatin, solvent, or 0.9% NaCl, respectively. Group 4 was a nonintervention (laparotomy only) control group. Animals were sacrificed after 3 weeks. Blood samples and injured aortic segment were analyzed. Results Atorvastatin administration significantly lowered total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels ( P = .012 and P = .001, respectively), intima—media ratio ( P = .002), and intimal smooth muscle cell accumulation ( P < .05) in group 1. Luminal narrowing in animals in group 1 was significantly lower than that in animals in groups 2 and 3, but was higher than in animals in group 4 ( P = .009). Conclusions Atorvastatin suppresses intimal hyerplasia and aids in intimal regeneration by lowering blood lipids and intimal smooth muscle cell accumulation.