Statins exert differential effects on angiotensin II-induced atherosclerosis, but no benefit for abdominal aortic aneurysms

Objective

Statins reduce atherosclerosis, but it is controversial whether they suppress abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) expansion. We hypothesized that statins (rosuvastatin and atorvastatin) would attenuate angiotensin II (AngII)-induced atherosclerosis and AAA.

Methods and results

Sixty apoE−/− male mice fed a normal diet were administered with either rosuvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) or atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) through drinking water for 1 week prior to initiating 28-day AngII infusion (1000 ng/kg/min). Statins administration led to therapeutic serum concentrations of drugs. Administration of either rosuvastatin or atorvastatin exerted no significant effect on AngII-induced expansion of suprarenal diameter or area. However, atorvastatin significantly reduced AngII-augmented atherosclerotic lesion areas in intimas of both aortic arches and cross-sections of aortic roots (P < 0.001). Atherosclerosis was attenuated independent of reductions in serum total cholesterol concentrations. Although serum MCP-1 and MIF concentrations were not changed by either statins, atorvastatin administration increased PPAR-α and -γ mRNA abundances and decreased NF-κB p50, p65, MCP-1 and TNF-α mRNA abundances in atherosclerotic lesions.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated both statins failed to suppress AngII-induced AAA. In contrast, atorvastatin reduced AngII-induced atherosclerosis associated with no change in serum inflammatory markers but a shift to upregulation of anti-inflammatory status in lesions.