Depressant effect and mechanism of atorvastatin on the chronic rejection of aortic allograft in rats

AIM: To investigate the depressant effect and mechanism of atorvastatin on the chronic rejection of aortic allograft in rats.METHODS: The models of abdominal aorta transplantation were made with micro-surgery in rats.The recipients were divided into three groups: allograft control group,atorvastatin-treated group and isograft control group.Vascular intimal thickness in all of the groups was observed by histological examination.The expression of proliferation cell nuclear antigenl(PCNA) and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) were determined by immunohistochemistry.The content of nitric oxide was measured by nitrate reductase chromatometry.RESULTS: The vascular intimal thickness in atorvastatin-treated group (11.60%±2.40%) was lower than that in allograft control group (34.60%±6.40%,P<0.05) and higher than that in isograft control group (1.15%±0.65%,P<0.05).The expression level of PCNA was decreased in atorvastatin-treated group (4.80%±0.80%) than that in allograft control group (18.40%±1.80%,P<0.05) and higher than that in isograft group (1.20%±0.40%,P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The expression of PCNA in the transplanted aorta is suppressed by atorvastatin,which results in relief of chronic rejection of aortic allograft.