Abstract:

The present study was performed to elucidate the mechanism underlying the anti-atherogenic action of atorvastatin (ATV). We investigated the effect of ATV on intimal thickening of the rat carotid artery induced by collar placement and further examined the effect of ATV on the expression of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) Iα and PKG Iβ in carotid arteries. The expression of CNP was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of PKG Iα and PKG Iβ. After 14 days, the collar placement induced a marked neointima formation and a reduction in CNP and PKG Iα expression. These effects were significantly reversed by ATV treatment. However, no obvious changes in PKG Iβ expression were observed throughout the study. In conclusion, the present data suggest that elevation of CNP represents an additional mechanism by which ATV treatment may prevent the development and progression of atherosclerosis.