Acute vascular effects of atorvastatin in hypertensive men: a pilot study. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saluveer, Ott; Bergh, Niklas; Grote, Ludger; Andersson, Ove; Hrafnkelsdóttir, Thórdis J.; Widgren, Bengt R.
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian cardiovascular journal. Volume 47:Number 5(2013:Oct.)
• Page Start: 275
• Page End: 280
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: Cardiovascular system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 617.41
• DOI: 10.3109/14017431.2013.821204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1401-7431

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objectives.</italic> Statins have multiple pleiotropic effects that are independent of their cholesterol-lowering properties including rapid improvement of endothelial function in vitro. Hypertension is characterized by endothelial dysfunction and we hypothesized that a single-dose of atorvastatin may have an acute effect on vascular function. <italic>Design.</italic> Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) and endothelium-independent vasodilation were assessed with venous occlusion plethysmography during intra-arterial infusion of acetylcholine (ACH) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), respectively, in 13 hypertensive men after wash-out from antihypertensive medication. Vasoconstrictive responses were evaluated in response to angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion. The protocol was repeated 1 h after 80 mg oral atorvastatin (ATV; Lipitor<sup>®</sup>). <italic>Results.</italic> ATV treatment significantly increased baseline forearm blood flow from 3.38 (0.27) to 4.31 (0.35) ml/min/100 ml tissue (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05). ATV did not affect ACH-induced EDV. Forearm vascular resistance in response to SNP was significantly lowered by ATV (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05). Vasoconstriction in response to Ang II was significantly inhibited by ATV treatment (<italic>p</italic> = 0.005). <italic>Conclusions.</italic> The observed acute statin effects in hypertension appear to be endothelium-independent and related to vascular smooth muscle cell function. These actions may in part contribute to the beneficial pleiotropic effects of statin therapy even in the acute in vivo setting.</p> </abstract>