Combination benefit of amlodipine plus atorvastatin treatment on carotid atherosclerosis in Zucker metabolic rats

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is the major risk factor for metabolic syndrome and atherosclerotic cardiocerebrovascular diseases. METHODS: We studied effects of amlodipine, atorvastatin, and their combination on carotid arteriosclerotic processes in a metabolic syndrome model of Zucker fatty rats. Zucker fatty rats were treated with vehicle, amlodipine, atorvastatin, or combination amlodipine plus atorvastatin for 28 days. RESULTS: Compared with the single treatment with amlodipine or atorvastatin, the combination of amlodipine plus atorvastatin treatment prevented arteriosclerotic processes, and induced a strong recovery of Sirtuin1 (Sirt1) expression and a marked reduction in p53, p21, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). DISCUSSION: As Sirt1 is a longevity gene that prevents endothelial atherosclerotic processes, and p53, p21, and MCP-1 play pivotal roles in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis, these data suggest a strong synergistic benefit of combination therapy with amlodipine and atorvastatin for preventing atherosclerotic processes, and potentially reducing the clinical risk of cerebrovascular events in metabolic obesity patients.