Post-infarction treatment with simvastatin reduces myocardial no-reflow by opening of the KATP channel.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Simvastatin can prevent cardiac remodelling after myocardial infarction, though the exact mechanisms are uncertain. Myocardial no-reflow is associated with progressive cardiac remodelling. However, it remains unknown whether post-infarction treatment with simvastatin can also reduce myocardial no-reflow for which suppression of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ (K(ATP)) channel opening is an important mechanism.

METHODS:

Area at risk and the area of no-reflow were determined by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and by pathology in 45 mini-swine randomised into 5 groups: 10 control, 9 simvastatin, 9 glibenclamide, 9 simvastatin plus glibenclamide and 8 sham-operated. A myocardial infarction and reperfusion model was created by 3-h occlusion of the coronary artery followed by 4 weeks of reperfusion.

RESULTS:

Compared with the control group, simvastatin significantly increased coronary blood volume (P<0.01) and decreased the area of no-reflow measured by MCE (78.5+/-4.5% to 43.7+/-4.3%) and pathological evaluation (82.3+/-1.9% to 45.2+/-3.8%) of area at risk (P<0.01). Simvastatin also increased the levels of K(ATP) channel proteins (SUR2 and Kir6.2) (P<0.05), but had no effect on necrosis area. The combination of simvastatin and glibenclamide had no significant effect on the above parameters.

CONCLUSIONS:

Post-infarction treatment with simvastatin can reduce myocardial no-reflow. This beneficial effect is due to activation of the K(ATP) channel.

• Authors: Yue-Jin Yang, Jing-Lin Zhao, Shi-Jie You, Yong-Jian Wu, Zhi-Cheng Jing, Run-Lin Gao, Zai-Jia Chen
• Journal: European journal of heart failure (Eur J Heart Fail) Vol. 9 Issue 1 Pg. 30-6 (Jan 2007) ISSN: 1388-9842 [Print] England
• PMID: 16829188 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens, CD
• Cadherins
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• KATP Channels
• Kir6.2 channel
• Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying
• cadherin 5
• uK-ATP-1 potassium channel
• Cholesterol
• Simvastatin

Topics

• Animals
• Antigens, CD
• Cadherins
• Cardiac Output (drug effects)
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Electrocardiography
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• KATP Channels
• Myocardial Infarction (drug therapy, pathology)
• Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying (physiology)
• Simvastatin (therapeutic use)
• Swine
• Swine, Miniature
• Ventricular Function, Left (drug effects)