Histological And Physiological Evaluation Of Atorvastatin In Mitigating Atherosclerosis A Study Of Vascular Remodeling

Abstract

Background and aim: The evolution of atherosclerosis is characterized by notable external and internal arterial structural modifications, including an enlarged luminal diameter and alterations in wall composition. The present study evaluates the effect of atorvastatin on histological and physiological markers associated with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Method

Arteriosclerosis was induced in 24 male New Zealand rats by a high-cholesterol diet, and the rats were subsequently treated with atorvastatin. The rats were randomly divided into four groups for comparative analysis. After 12 weeks, physiological assessments were performed, including blood sampling for lipid levels, systolic blood pressure measurement, and echocardiographic evaluation. Following euthanasia, tissues were collected for histological evaluation of aortic lesions, intima-density hypertrophy, and smooth muscle cell content using immunohistochemistry. Vascular function in isolated aortic loops was also assessed. Statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriate.

Results

The rats with atherosclerosis exhibited severe dyslipidemia: total cholesterol was 285 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was 195 mg/dL, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was 28 mg/dL. Inflammatory markers were also elevated, as evidenced by a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level of 6.5 mg/L. Furthermore, the rats were classified as stage 1 hypertension, reflected in a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg. Increased vascular stiffness was indicated by a carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) of 0.7 mm and a pulse wave velocity (PWV) of 9 m/s.

Conclusion

In alignment with these results and studies demonstrating that atorvastatin exerts pleiotropic effects beyond lipid modulation, clinical practice guidelines recommend high-intensity statin therapy for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events.