Pleiotropic effects of pitavastatin: a pilot study using the saphenous vein endothelial cell model of endothelial injury and prevention of atherosclerosis

B. Onal, M. Alaylioglu, G. Yenmis, A.S. Dogan, E. Dursun, D. Gezen-Ak, M. Ugurlucan

Department of Medical Pharmacology, Biruni University Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey. bonal@biruni.edu.tr

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• Pharmacology
• Vascular Medicine

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the majority of deaths on a global scale. Atherosclerosis is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disorders and represents a complex phenomenon associated with endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Statins, especially atorvastatin (ATV) and pitavastatin (PTV), are common agents used to control ongoing atherosclerotic events in the body to minimize cardiovascular disease-based deaths.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study aimed at comparing the efficacy of ATV and PTV in a cell line model of inflammation. Human saphenous vein cells were treated with TNF-alpha to mimic atherosclerotic conditions, and the cells were divided into 7 groups, including control, DMSO, TNF-alpha (10 ng/mL-6 hours), ATV (50 μM/24 hours), PTV (2 μM/24 hours), ATV (50 μM/24 hours)+TNF-alpha (10 ng/mL-6 hours) and PTV (2 μM/24 hours)+TNF-alpha (10 ng/mL-6 hours). The expression levels of 20 proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were investigated in these groups using a human atherosclerosis antibody array.

RESULTS: Possible pathway interactions were determined by STRING and PANTHER analyses. Comparison with the effect of ATV indicated that PTV reduced the levels of 4 proinflammatory cytokines: CCL11, CSF2, CCL20, and TGFB1 (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Pleiotropic effects of pitavastatin against cardiovascular diseases appeared to be better; however, additional studies are required to compare statins and to identify new drugs that maintain broader protection from the risks of cardiovascular diseases.

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