Effectiveness of Atorvastatin Combined with Trimetazidine in the Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease in the Elderly and Their Effect on Cardiac Function

Objective:To analyze the effect of atorvastatin combined with trimetazidine in the treatment of elderly coronary artery disease and the effect on patients’cardiac function.Methods:60 cases of elderly coronary artery disease patients were divided into 2 groups by randomization method,and all of them received conventional symptomatic treatment,while atorvastatin was added to the control group and trimetazidine was combined with atorvastatin in the observation group,and the clinical indexes were compared.Results:After treatment,the angina attack,cardiac function indexes,and inflammatory factor levels of the observation group were better than those of the control group(P<0.05),and the differences in adverse reactions between the two groups were not significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:Combined treatment of coronary heart disease in the elderly with atorvastatin and trimetazidine can positively reduce angina symptoms,improve cardiac function,and reduce inflammatory reactions,and the effect is definite.

Atorvastatin ameliorated myocardial fibrosis in db/db mice by inhibiting oxidative stress and modulating macrophage polarization

BACKGROUND People with diabetes mellitus(DM)suffer from multiple chronic complications due to sustained hyperglycemia,especially diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM).Oxidative stress and inflammatory cells play crucial roles in the occurrence and progression of myocardial remodeling.Macrophages polarize to two distinct phenotypes:M1 and M2,and such plasticity in phenotypes provide macrophages various biological functions.AIM To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on cardiac function of DCM in db/db mice and its underlying mechanisms.METHODS DCM mouse models were established and randomly divided into DM,atorvastatin,and metformin groups.C57BL/6 mice were used as the control.Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography.Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining was used to examine the morphology and collagen fibers in myocardial tissues.The expression of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),M1 macrophages(iNOS^(+)),and M2 macrophages(CD206^(+))were demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining.The levels of TGF-β1,IL-1β,and TNF-αwere detected by ELISA and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Malondialdehyde(MDA)concentrations and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activities were also measured.RESULTS Treatment with atorvastatin alleviated cardiac dysfunction and decreased db/db mice. The broken myocardialfibers and deposition of collagen in the myocardial interstitium were relieved especially by atorvastatin treatment.Atorvastatin also reduced the levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase isoenzyme, and troponin;lowered the levels of TGF-β1, TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and myocardium;decreased the concentration of MDAand increased SOD activity in myocardium of db/db mice;inhibited M1 macrophages;and promoted M2macrophages.CONCLUSION Administration of atorvastatin attenuates myocardial fibrosis in db/db mice, which may be associated with theantioxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin on diabetic myocardium through modulatingmacrophage polarization.

Atorvastatin Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via miR-26a-5p/FOXO1

Purpose: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury exacerbates myocardial cell death (including apoptosis and necrosis), leading to complications such as arrhythmias, myocardial stenosis, microvascular obstruction and heart failure, and it is particularly important to seek new strategies to mitigate reperfusion injury. In this paper, we will investigate whether atorvastatin can alleviate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury and verify its molecular mechanism. Methods: We successfully constructed a hypoxia-reperfusion (H/R) H9c2 cell model and transfected miR-26a-5p mimic, miR-26a-5p inhibitor and its negative control NC-mimic or NC-inhibitor into H9c2 cells using a transfection kit. The expression of miR-26a-5p and FOXO1 were detected by RT-qPCR assay, the expression of related proteins by Western blot assay, the cell viability of H9c2 cells by CCK-8 assay, the apoptosis rate of H9c2 cells by flow cytometry, the CK and LDH activity in cells by CK and LDH assay kits. The targeting relationship between miR-26a-5p and FOXO1 was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Results: MiR-26a-5p expression was decreased in H/R-induced cells and FOXO1 expression was increased in H/R-induced cells. Atorvastatin alleviated H/R injury in cardiomyocytes and was most effective at a concentration of 1 μM. Atorvastatin alleviated H/R injury in cardiomyocytes by upregulating miR-26a-5p expression, miR-26a-5p and FOXO1 were negatively regulated by targeting. Conclusion: Atorvastatin can alleviate H/R injury in cardiomyocytes by regulating miR-26a-5p/FOXO1.

Efficacy of enhanced extracorporeal counterpulsation combined with atorvastatin in the treatment of cognitive impairment after stroke

BACKGROUND Cerebral apoplexy patients are prone to cognitive impairment,and it is very important to choose appropriate treatment methods to improve their cognitive impairment after stroke.AIM To evaluate the effects of enhanced external counterpulsation(EECP)in con-junction with atorvastatin on cognitive function,neurotransmitter levels,and the repair of brain tissue damage in patients with cognitive impairment due to stroke.METHODS In this retrospective study,data from 60 patients with poststroke cognitive impairment due to stroke who were treated in our hospital from February 2021 to July 2022 were analyzed and divided into a treatment group(n=30)and a control group(n=30)according to the different nursing methods applied.Patients in the treatment group received EECP in addition to atorvastatin,while those in the control group received atorvastatin alone.Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE),Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)and activities of daily living(ADL)scale scores were compared between the two groups.Additionally,the two groups were compared in terms of serum acetylcholine(ACh),acetylcholin-esterase(AChE),nitric oxide(NO),endothelin-1(ET-1),β2-microglobulin(β2-MG),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),and visinin-like protein 1(VILIP-1)in the serum.Blood flow measurements from the anterior cerebral artery(ACA),middle cerebral artery(MCA)and posterior cerebral artery(PCA)were compared between the two groups before and after treatment,and the pulsatility index(PI)and resistance index(RI)of each artery were determined.RESULTS MMSE,MoCA,and ADL scores all improved in both groups following treatment,with the study group showing more improvement than the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,there were statistically significant increases in both ACh and NO levels,whereas decreases occurred in AChE,ET-1,β2-MG,VILIP-1,and GFAP,levels and the PI and RI of the left-ACA,right-ACA,left-MCA,right-MCA,left-PCA,and right-PCA.The study group showed greater gains in all metrics than the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION EECP combined with atorvastatin is effective in the treatment of cognitive impairment after stroke and can effectively improve the cognitive function,neurotransmitter levels,and brain tissue damage status of patients.

Atorvastatin protects against cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects

In addition to its lipid-lowering effect, atorvastatin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects as well. In this study, we hypothesized that atorvastatin could protect against cerebral isch-emia/reperfusion injury. The middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion model was established, and atorvastatin, 6.5 mg/kg, was administered by gavage. We found that, after cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury, levels of the inflammation-related factors E-selectin and myeloperoxidase were upregulated, the oxidative stress-related marker malondialdehyde was increased, and super- oxide dismutase activity was decreased in the ischemic cerebral cortex. Atorvastatin pretreatment significantly inhibited these changes. Our findings indicate that atorvastatin protects against ce-rebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic effects of atorvastatin in acute ischemic stroke

Atorvastatin decreases inflammation and thrombogenesis in patients with carotid artery plaque. Atorvastatin is administered to lower lipid levels, but its anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic effects remain unclear. Eighty-nine patients from northeastern China with acute ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherosclerosis were randomly divided into the study and control groups. All patients received routine treatment, including antiplatelet therapy, circulatory support, and symp- tomatic treatment. The study group （n = 43） also received daily atorvastatin 20 mg/d, and the control group （n = 46） received daily placebo pills containing glucose. After 4 weeks, the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. Decreases in the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were not associated with de- creases in the levels of triacylglycerol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These results suggest that atorvastatin reduces inflammation and thrombogenesis independent of its lipid-lowering effects in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherosclerosis.

Effect of atorvastatin on expression of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in atherosclerotic rabbits

Objective:To study the effect of atorvastatin on atherosclerotic rabbits.Methods:A total of 60 Now Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into the normal group,model group and atorvastatin group.The replication rabbit atherosclerotic model with immune injury combined with a high fat diet feeding was used.All rabbits were sacrificed after 3 months.TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were observed by HE staining,immunohistochemistry and western blotting.Results: The expression of TLR4,NF- k B p65 were significantly increased in the model group compared widi the normal group.The expression of TI.R4 and NK- k B p65 decreased significantly in the atorvastatin group,and there was no difference compared with the normal group.Conclusions: The effect of atorvastatin on adierosclerosis may be achieved by the inhibition of the expression of TLK4 and NF-κB p65.

An early neuroprotective effect of atorvastatin against subarachnoid hemorrhage

Atorvastatin has been shown to reduce early brain edema and neuronal death after subarachnoid hemorrhage,but its mechanism is not clear.In this study,rat models of subarachnoid hemorrhage were established by autologous blood injection in the cisterna magna.Rat models were intragastrically administered 20 mg/kg atorvastatin 24 hours before subarachnoid hemorrhage,12 and 36 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage.Compared with the controls,atorvastatin treatment demonstrated that at 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage,neurological function had clearly improved;brain edema was remarkably relieved;cell apoptosis was markedly reduced in the cerebral cortex of rats;the number of autophagy-related protein Beclin-1-positive cells and the expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 were increased compared with subarachnoid hemorrhage only.The ultrastructural damage of neurons in the temporal lobe was also noticeably alleviated.The similarities between the effects of atorvastatin and rapamycin were seen in all the measured outcomes of subarachnoid hemorrhage.However,these were contrary to the results of 3-methyladenine injection,which inhibits the signaling pathway of autophagy.These findings indicate that atorvastatin plays an early neuroprotective role in subarachnoid hemorrhage by activating autophagy.The experimental protocol was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Anhui Medical University,China(904 Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA;approval No.YXLL-2017-09)on February 22,2017.

Changes of CD4^+CD25^+ Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and the Effects of Atorvastatin

The function of CD4＋CD25＋ regulatory T lymphocytes （Treg） in patients with acute coronary syndrome （ACS） and the effects of atorvastatin were investigated. Forty-eight patients with ACS were randomly divided into two groups： group C receiving conventional therapy （n=24）, and group C＋A receiving conventional therapy＋atorvastatin （10 mg/day, n=24）. T lymphocytes from ACS patients （before and 2 weeks after the treatment） or 18 healthy subjects were separated and the flow cytometry was used to measure the percentage of Treg. The inhibitory ability of Treg on effector T cells was determined by mixed lymphocyte reaction （MLR）. ELISA was used to measure the serum levels of cytokines （IL-10, TGF-β1 and IFN-γ） before and after treatment. The results showed that as compared with normal control group, Treg percentage was decreased significantly （P〈0.01）, the inhibitory ability of Treg on the T lymphocytes proliferation was reduced （P〈0.01）, IFN-γ levels were increased and IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels were lowered in ACS patients. After treatment with atorvastatin, Treg percentage and the inhibitory ability of Treg on T lymphocytes proliferation were significantly increased in ACS patients. Serum IFN-γ was decreased significantly, while IL-10 and TGF-β1 were elevated significantly as compared with the non-atorvastatin group. The number of Treg was positively correlated with serum TGF-β1, but negatively with serum IFN-γ and CRP. It was concluded that ACS was associated with decreased number and defected function of Treg, which may play an important role in initiating immune-inflammatory response in ACS. The inhibitory effects of atorvastatin on inflammation in ACS may be due to its beneficial effects on Treg and restoration of immune homeostasis.

Effects of Atorvastatin on Warfarin-induced Aortic Medial Calcification and Systolic Blood Pressure in Rats

The effect of atorvastatin on warfarin-induced aortic medial calcification and systolic blood pressure （SBP） of rats induced by warfarin was studied. Thirty healthy and adult rats were randomly divided into Warfarin group （n=10）, Atorvastatin group （n=10） and normal control group （n=10）. Caudal arterial pressure of rats was measured once a week, and 4 weeks later, aorta was obtained. Elastic fiber, collagen fiber and calcium accumulation in tunica media of cells were measured by Von Kossa staining. The results showed that warfarin treatment led to elevation of systolic blood pressure and aortic medial calcification. The chronic treatment also increased collagen, but decreased elastin in the aorta. However, the atorvastatin treatment had adverse effects. It was concluded that treatment with atorvastatin presented evidence of blood pressure lowing and calcification reducing. These data demonstrate that atorvastatin protected aortic media from warfarin-induced calcification and elevation of systolic blood pressure.

Atorvastatin Attenuates TNF-alpha Production via Heme Oxygenase-1 Pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages

Objective To assess the effect of atorvastatin on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced TNF-a production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods RAW264.7 macrophages were treated in different LPS concentrations or at different time points with or without atorvastatin. TNF-a level in supernatant was measured. Expressions of TNF-a mRNA and protein and heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） were detected by ELISA, PCR, and Western blot, respectively. HO activity was assayed. Results LPS significantly increased the TNF-a expression and secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The HO-1 activity and HO-1 expression level were significantly higher after atorvastatin treatment than before atorvastatin treatment and attenuated by SB203580 and PD98059 but not by SP600125, suggesting that the ERK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathways participate in regulating the above-mentioned effects of atorvastatin. Moreover, the HO-1 activity suppressed by SnPP or the HO-1 expression inhibited by siRNA significantly attenuated the effect of atorvastatin on TNF-c~ expression and production in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Conclusion Atorvastatin can attenuate LPS-induced TNF-e expression and production by activating HO-1 via the ERK and p38 MAPK pathways, suggesting that atorvastatin can be used in treatment of inflammatory diseases such as sepsis, especially in those with atherosclerotic diseases.

Effect of atorvastatin on serum oxidative stress and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide expression in rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on serum oxidative stress and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide expression in rats.Methods:A total of 40 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group(Croup A,n=10,saline 5 mL/d),ischemia-reperfusion group(Group B,n=10,saline S mL/d),atorvastatin group(Group C,n=10.atorvastatin 20 mg/kg·d),atorvastatin + N-amino-arginine group(Group D,n=10,atorvastatin 20 mg/kg·d + N-amino arginine 15 mg/kg).Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion rat model was eslablished after 3 days of gavage.N-amino arginine 15 mg/kg was given by tail vein injection 15 min before ischemia.After reperfusion,enzymology indicators such us creatine kinase(CK) and lactate dehydrogenase and the oxidative stress parameters such as nitric oxide(NO),malondialdehyde(MDA) and total superoxide dismutase(TSOD),and n-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)expression was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:LDH and CK levels of group A were significantly lower than the outer three groups,and group B was the highest.There was significant difference between group B and group C(P<0.05),and no significant difference between group B and group D(P>0.05).MDA levels in group B were significantly higher than the other three groups.The lowest was group A,followed by group C,the difference among groups was significantly(P<0.05).TSOD and NO levels in group B was the lowest,the level in group A was the highest,followed by group C,the difference among groups was significant(P<0.05).NT-proBNP level in group B was significantly higher than the other three groups,the lowest was group A,followed by group C,the difference among groups was significant(P<0.05).Conclusions:Atorvastatin has a protective effect on the myocardial injury in the myocardial ischemia and reperfusion rats.It can increase NO synthesis and decrease MDA content,increase serum TSOD activity and the oxidative stress effect,meanwhile protect myocardial cells and reduce myocardial injury.

Atorvastatin Attenuates Myocardial Hypertrophy Induced by Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia In Vitro Partly through miR-31/PKCε Pathway

Atorvastatin is proven to ameliorate cardiac hypertrophy induced by chronic intermittent hypoxia （CIH）. However, little is known about the mechanism by which atorvastatin modulates CIH-induced cardiac hypertrophy, and whether specific hypertrophyrelated microRNAs are involved in the modulation. MiR-31 plays key roles in the development of cardiac hypertrophy induced by ischemia/hypoxia. This study examined whether miR-31 was involved in the protective role of atorvastatin against CIH-induced myocardial hypertrophy. H9c2 cells were subjected to 8-h intermittent hypoxia per day in the presence or absence of atorvastatin for 5 days. The size of cardiomyocytes, and the expression of caspase 3 and miR-31 were determined by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. MiR-31 mimic or Ro 31-8220, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C epsilon （PKCε）, was used to determine the role of miR-31 in the anti-hypertrophic effect of atorvastatin on cardiomyocytes. PKCε in the cardiomyocytes with miR-31 upregulation or downregulation was detected using RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that CIH induced obvious enlargement of cardiomyocytes, which was paralleled with increased atrial natriuretic peptide （ANP）, brain natriuretic peptide （BNP）, and slow/beta cardiac myosin heavy-chain （MYHT） mRNA levels. All these changes were reversed by the treatment with atorvastatin. Meanwhile, miR-31 was increased by CIH in vitro. Of note, the atorvastatin pretreatment significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of PKCε and decreased that of miR-31. Moreover, overexpression of miR-31 abolished the anti-hypertrophic effect of atorvastatin on cardiomyocytes. Upregulation and downregulation of miR-31 respectively decreased and increased the mRNA and protein expression of PKCε. These results suggest that atorvastatin provides the cardioprotective effects against CIH probably via up-regulating PKCε and down-regulating miR-31.

Simultaneous determination of atorvastatin,metformin and glimepiride in human plasma by LC-MS/MS and its application to a human pharmacokinetic study

A simple, rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric （LC MS/ MS） assay method has been developed and fully validated for the simultaneous quantification of atorvastatin, metformin and g.）imepiride in human plasma. Carbamazepine was used as internal standard （IS）. The analytes were extracted from 200 μL aliquots of human plasma via protein precipitation using acetonitrile, The reconstituted samples were chromatographed on a Alltima HP C18 column by using a 60：40 （v/v） mixture of acetonitrile and 10 mM ammonium acetate （pH 3.0） as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.1 mL/min. The calibration curves obtained were linear （r2〉0.99） over the concentration range of 0.50-150.03 ng/mL for atorvastatin, 12.14-1207.50 ng/mL for metformin and 4.98-494.29 ng/mL for glimepiride. The API-4000 LC-MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring （MRM） mode was used for detection. The results of the intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy studies were well within the acceptable limits. All the analytes were found to be stable in a battery of stability studies. The method is precise and sensitive enough for its intended purpose. A run time of 2.5 rain for each sample made it possible to analyze more than 300 plasma samples per day. The developed assay method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study in human male volunteers.

Simultaneous quantitation of atorvastatin and its two active metabolites in human plasma by liquid chromatography/(–) electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive, accurate and selective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method （LC-MS/MS） was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitation of atorvastatin （AT） and its equipotent hydroxyl metabolites, 2-hydroxy atorvastatin （2-AT） and 4-hydroxy atorvastatin （4-AT）, in human plasma. Electrospray ionization （ESI） interface in negative ion mode was selected to improve the selectivity and the sensitivity required for this application. Additionally, a solid phase extraction （SPE） step was performed to reduce any ion-suppression and/or enhancement effects. The separation of all compounds was achieved in less than 6 min using a C18 reverse-phase fused-cores column and a mobile phase, composed of a mixture of 0.005%formic acid in water：acetonitrile：methanol （35：25：40, v/v/v）, in isocratic mode at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The method has lower limit of quantitation （LLOQ） of 0.050 ng/mL for all analytes. The method has shown tremendous reproducibility, with intra-and inter-day precision less than 6.6%, and intra- and inter-day accuracy within 74.3% of nominal values, for all analytes, and has proved to be highly reliable for the analysis of clinical samples.

Sodium ozagrel and atorvastatin for type 2 diabetes patients with lacunar cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND The main pathological factor of cerebral infarction is atherosclerosis,which is the pathological process of chronic inflammatory diseases such as vascular smooth muscle hyperplasia,inflammatory cell infiltration,extracellular matrix increase,and thrombosis.At present,the focus of clinical treatment is anti-platelet aggregation and improving blood status,and current research is limited to improving symptoms only.AIM To observe the effect of sodium ozagrel and atorvastatin on type 2 diabetes patients with lacunar cerebral infarction.METHODS Eighty-two patients with type 2 diabetes and lacunar cerebral infarction admitted to our hospital from January 2018 to February 2020 were equally categorized into two groups according to their treatment method.The control group was administered atorvastatin,and the observation group was administered sodium ozagrel combined with atorvastatin.The National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,activities of daily living(ADL)score,blood glucose,lipid levels,inflammatory factors,high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1)levels,paraoxonase-1(PON-1)levels,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)levels were recorded before and after treatment.The total effective rate and adverse reaction rate of the two groups were analyzed.RESULTS The total effective rate of the observation group(94.00%)was significantly higher than that of the control group(80.00%)(χ2=3.998;P=0.046).The blood glucose indexes,total cholesterol levels,triglyceride levels,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels,interleukin-1βlevels,tumor necrosis factor-αlevels,HMGB1 Levels,ESR,MIF levels,platelet aggregation rates,and plasma viscosity of the two groups decreased after treatment;however,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and PON-1 Levels increased after treatment.After treatment,the blood glucose indexes;blood lipid indexes;inflammatory factors;HMGB1,PON-1,and MIF levels;ESR;platelet aggregation rate;and plasma viscosity of the observation group were better than those of the control group(P<0.05).After treatment,all patients in the observation group had higher ADL scores and lower NIHSS scores than those in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Sodium ozagrel with atorvastatin can reduce inflammatory reactions;regulate ESR and HMGB1,PON-1,and MIF levels;control blood glucose and lipid indexes;and alleviate nerve injury without increasing adverse effects of atorvastatin alone.

Biliverdin Reductase-A correlates with inducible nitric oxide synthasein in atorvastatin treated aged canine brain

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and neuropathology. Recent preclinical and epidemiological studies proposed statins as a possible therapeutic drug for Alzheimer’s disease, but the exact mechanisms of action are still unknown. Biliverdin reductase-A is a pleiotropic enzyme involved in cellular stress responses. It not only transforms biliverdin-IX alpha into the antioxidant bilirubin-IX alpha but its serine/threonine/ tyrosine kinase activity is able to modulate cell signaling networks. We previously reported the beneficial effects of atorvastatin treatment on biliverdin reductase-A and heme oxygenase-1 in the brains of a well characterized pre-clinical model of Alzheimer’s disease, aged beagles, together with observed improvement in cognition. Here we extend our knowledge of the effects of atorvastatin on inducible nitric oxide synthase in parietal cortex, cerebellum and liver of the same animals. We demonstrated that atorvastatin treatment （80 mg/day for 14.5 months） to aged beagles selectively increased inducible nitric oxide synthase in the parietal cortex but not in the cerebellum. In contrast, inducible nitric oxide synthase protein levels were significantly decreased in the liver. Significant positive correlations were found between biliverdin reductase-A and inducible nitric oxide synthase as well as heme oxygenase-1 protein levels in the parietal cortex. The opposite was observed in the liver. Inducible nitric oxide synthase up-regulation in the parietal cortex was positively associated with improved biliverdin reductase-A functions, whereas the oxidative-induced impairment of biliverdin reductase-A in the liver negatively affected inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, thus suggesting a role for biliverdin reductase-A in atorvastatin-dependent inducible nitric oxide synthase changes. Interestingly, increased inducible nitric oxide synthase levels in the parietal cortex were not associated with higher oxidative/nitrosative stress levels. We hypothesize that biliverdin reductase-A-dependent inducible nitric oxide synthase regulation strongly contributes to the cognitive improvement observed following atorvastatin treatment.

Validated spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of atorvastatin in pharmaceutical preparations

A rapid,sensitive and simple spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the estimation of atorvastatin.In this method,the native fluorescence characteristics of atorvastatin have been studied in both acidic and basic media.High sensitivity was obtained with 5% acetic acid at 389 nm using 276 nm for excitation.Regression analysis showed a good correlation coefficient(r=0.9995) between fluorescence intensity and concentration over the range of 1.5-4 mg/mL with detection limit of 0.012 mg/mL.The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of atorvastatin in pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms with average recovery of 100.2970.47%.The results were compared favorably with those of the reported method.

Neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through the inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum stress

Cerebral ischemia triggers secondary ischemia/reperfusion injury and endoplasmic reticulum stress initiates cell apoptosis. However, the regulatory mechanism of the signaling pathway remains unclear. We hypothesize that the regulatory mechanisms are mediated by the protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α in the endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway. To verify this hypothesis, we occluded the middle cerebral artery in rats to establish focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model. Results showed that the expression levels of protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and caspase-3, as well as the phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, were increased after ischemia/reperfusion. Administration of atorvastatin decreased the expression of protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, caspase-3 and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α, reduced the infarct volume and improved ultrastructure in the rat brain. After salubrinal, the specific inhibitor of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α was given into the rats intragastrically, the expression levels of caspase-3 and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α in the were decreased, a reduction of the infarct volume and less ultrastructural damage were observed than the untreated, ischemic brain. However, salubrinal had no impact on the expression of protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase. Experimental findings indicate that atorvastatin inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress and exerts neuroprotective effects. The underlying mechanisms of attenuating ischemia/reperfusion injury are associated with the protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/eukaryotic initiation factor 2α/caspase-3 pathway.

Simultaneous Determination of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride by LC-MS/MS in Human Plasma and Its Application to a Pharmacokinetic Study

The aim of the proposed research work was to develop and validate a simple, selective high sensitive and high-throughput assay for the simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride in human plasma using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Atorvastatin–Glimepiride combines a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase and a sulfonylurea anti-diabetic drug. The purpose of this study was to develop single method for Atorvastatin and Glimepiride in plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) that would result into a simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride avoiding acid –lactone inter conversions right from sample collections to analysis on the LC-MS/MS. Sample collection procedure optimized for Atorvastatin holds good for Glimepiride, hence resulting into a simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride. Liquid-liquid extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to positive ion mode tandem mass spectrometry was used to develop the method and was validated according to US FDA guidelines. The calibration curves for two analytes were linear (R2 ≥ 0.9950, n = 4) over the concentration range of 0.2 - 30 ng/mL for Atorvastatin and 1 - 250 ng/mL for Glimepiride. Mean extraction recoveries 80.34 ± 9.43 for Atorvastatin and 88.19 ± 7.13 for Glimepiride. Intra- and inter-run mean percent accuracy was between 85% - 115% and percent imprecision was ≤15%. Stability studies revealed that Atorvastatin and Glimepiride were stable in plasma during bench top (10.5 h at room temperature), in Injector (47.5 h), at the end of three successive freeze and thaw cycles and long term at -65℃ ± 15℃ for 114 days. The method was successfully applied to the study of pharmacokinetics of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride in healthy volunteers. Simultaneous estimation of Atorvastatin and Glimepiride is cost effective, reduces analysis cycle time, enables effective utilization of resources and reduces bleeding burden on human volunteers.