Effect of atorvastatin on the ultramicrostructure of the endothelial cell membrane in atherosclerotic rabbits:observed by atomic force microscope / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Aim To explore the influence of atorvastatin on the ultramicrostructure of the membrane surface of the rabbit endothelial cells in rabbit atherosclerosis(AS)in the nanometer level.Methods A total of 44 male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groupscontrol group consisting of 12 rabbits,AS group consisting of 16 rabbits and atorvastatin group consisting of 32 rabbits.By the end of 2nd,6th week 6~8 rabbits of each group were sacrificed and the middle segments of thoracic aortas were obtained to be observed with atomic force microscope.Results The control group vascular endothelial cells(VECs)were fusiform in shape and aligned regularly.Their size were about 11.96 ?m?3.72 ?m and their macroaxis were in parallel with the direction of hemokinesis.VECs in the atherosclerotic group were in deformity and bigger than those of the control group.They aligned irregularly and their volumes changed to be swelled.The membrane protein of VECs in the control group was composed of many round and elliptical eminences,which were almost in the same size.and with distinct boundary lines.The membrane protein of VECs in the atherosclerosis group was composed of many irregular eminences in different size.It was vague among the eminences in which there were many holes.But the VECs of atorvastatin group were better than those of atherosclerosis group.The ultramicrostructure of the membrane surface of the atorvastatin group VECs was obviously improved.Meanwhile,the mean roughness(Ra)of membrane protein of three groups was compared.The Ra of the atherosclerosis group was significantly higher than that of the control group and the atorvastatin group(P