Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the effect of rosuvastatin on the structural remodeling of atrium in rabbits with myocardial infarction (MI). Methods   The MI model was established by ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery in rabbits. Twenty-four hours after the procedure，the surviving rabbits were randomly divided into the MI group (MI, n=7), the low-dose rosuvastatin group［Rs, 2.5mg/(kg·d), n=7］ and the high-dose rosuvastatin group［Rl, 5mg/(kg·d), n=8］. Additionally, sham-operated group was established (S, n=8). Eight weeks after administration of rosuvastatin, all animals were examined by echocardiography and then put to death. The structural change and the distribution of collagen fibers in the atrium were observed. The content of collagen and expression of  collagen I in the atrium were measured. Results   After 8 weeks, the left atrial diameter (LAD) of the MI group(11.22±1.51)mm was significantly increased, compared with the S group(8.12±1.11)mm, the Rs group (9.85±1.60)mm and the Rl group (9.28±0.99) mm (all P<0.05). The content of collagen (29.79±5.50)mg/L in the MI group was also more significantly increased than that in the S group (21.32±3.46)mg/L, the Rs group (25.15±3.59)mg/L and the Rl group (24.59±3.58)mg/L (all P<0.05). Expression of collagen I in the left atrium in the MI group was more significantly enhanced, compared with the S, Rs and Rl groups(P<0.05). In the MI group, the ejection fraction of left ventricular(EF) (0.36±0.11) was significantly lower than those in the S group (0.71±0.10), Rs(0.64±0.10) and Rl group (0.62±0.09). There were no significant differences in the LAD, the content of collagen and expression of collagen I between the Rs group and the Rl group (all P>0.05). Conclusion   Rosuvastatin can improve the structural remodeling of the atrium after myocardial infraction.

Key words: Rosuvastatin; Myocardial infarction; Atrial remodeling; Rabbits