LV (left ventricular) remodelling is the basic mechanism of HF (heart failure) following MI (myocardial infarction). Although there is evidence that pro-inflammatory cytokines [including TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin-6)] are involved in the remodelling process, only little is known about the role of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10. As accumulating evidence has revealed that statins possess anti-inflammatory properties, the aim of the present study was to elucidate the effect of atorvastatin on the modulation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and its effect on LV function in rats with HF subsequent to MI. Rats with MI, induced by permanent LAD (left anterior descending) branch coronary artery ligation, were treated for 4 weeks with atorvastatin (10 mg·kg−1 of body weight·day−1 via oral gavage) starting on the first day after induction of MI. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization 4 weeks after MI induction. Membrane-bound and soluble fractions of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 protein, the TNF-α/IL-10 ratio, serum levels of MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) as well as myocardial macrophage infiltration were analysed. Treatment with atorvastatin significantly improved post-MI LV function (fractional shortening, +120%; dP/dtmax, +147%; and LV end-diastolic pressure, −27%). Furthermore atorvastatin treatment markedly decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and MCP-1, reduced myocardial infiltration of macrophages and significantly increased myocardial and serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Thus the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines was shifted in the anti-inflammatory direction, as shown by a significantly decreased TNF-α/IL-10 ratio. Atorvastatin ameliorated early LV remodelling and improved LV function in rats with HF subsequent to MI. Our study suggests that the modulation of the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines towards the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 is one salutary mechanism underlying how atorvastatin influences post-MI remodelling and thus improves LV function.
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Research Article|
November 28 2008
Atorvastatin enhances interleukin-10 levels and improves cardiac function in rats after acute myocardial infarction
Christian Stumpf;
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
Correspondence: Dr Christian Stumpf (email ch.stumpf@web.de).
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Sebastian Petzi;
Sebastian Petzi
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Katrin Seybold;
Katrin Seybold
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Gerald Wasmeier;
Gerald Wasmeier
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Martin Arnold;
Martin Arnold
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Dorette Raaz;
Dorette Raaz
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Atilla Yilmaz;
Atilla Yilmaz
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Werner G. Daniel;
Werner G. Daniel
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Christoph D. Garlichs
Christoph D. Garlichs
1Department of Cardiology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
February 07 2008
Revision Received:
April 21 2008
Accepted:
May 06 2008
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 06 2008
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
2009
Clin Sci (Lond) (2009) 116 (1): 45–52.
Article history
Received:
February 07 2008
Revision Received:
April 21 2008
Accepted:
May 06 2008
Accepted Manuscript online:
May 06 2008
Connected Content
This is a commentary on:
Statins for heart failure: still caught in no man's land?
Citation
Christian Stumpf, Sebastian Petzi, Katrin Seybold, Gerald Wasmeier, Martin Arnold, Dorette Raaz, Atilla Yilmaz, Werner G. Daniel, Christoph D. Garlichs; Atorvastatin enhances interleukin-10 levels and improves cardiac function in rats after acute myocardial infarction. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 January 2009; 116 (1): 45–52. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20080042
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