Abstract: Objective: To explore the correlation between pulse wave velocity(PWV) and atherosclerosis. Methods: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups with 8 in each: the control group, the model group and the atorvastatin group. They were respectively fed with standard diet, standard diet containing 3% cholesterol and standard diet containing 2.5mg/(kg·d) atorvastatin plus 3% cholesterol diet. After 12 weeks, aortas were removed under deep anesthetization. The degree of the atherosclerosis stenosis of coronary artery branches in the heart walls and the PWV were determined. Masson staining was performed to observe the collagen deposition in atherosclerostic plaques. Level of COX2 protein and NFκB protein was determined by SABC immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the control group, degree of the atherosclerosis stenosis of coronary artery branches and the PWV were significantly increased in the model group (P＜0.05). COX-2 protein expression and collagen accumulation in plaques of atherosclerosis rabbits were significantly increased compared with the control group, and were significantly decreased by atorvastatin (both P＜0. 05). The degree of atherosclerosis stenosis was related to the PWV, and the level of COX-2 protein was related to NF-κB protein in atherosclerostic plaques(r=79 and 0.81, both P＜0.05). Conclusion: PWV is related to atherosclerosis stenosis and can reflect the degree of atherosclerosis stenosis of coronary artery branches in the heart walls.

Key words: Atherosclerosis, Pulse wave velocity, Cyclooxygenase-2, Atorvastatin