The impact of rosuvastatin on inflammatory markers in L-NAME induced hypertensive rats

Background and objective: Many clinical trials have revealed that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have anti-inflammatory effects through their pleiotropic activities there by decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study intended to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin on the level of inflammatory markers (hsCRP, IL-6, sCD40L, Lp-PLA2, and cystatin C) in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Wister rats were divided into two groups of twelve. Group 1 consisted of normotensive rats, while Group 2 served as the hypertensive model. Each group was further subdivided into two groups. Subgroup A served as the control group which received the only placebo and subgroup B was the treatment arm which received rosuvastatin 10mg/kg daily for 4 weeks. Results: Rosuvastatin did not significantly affect blood pressure and heart rate in both normotensive and hypertensive rats. The level of inflammatory markers (hsCRP, IL-6, and Lp-PLA2) significantly increased in hypertensive rats, while the level of both sCD40L and cystatin C did not change. Rosuvastatin lowered the level of IL-6, sCD40L, Lp-PLA2, and cystatin C significantly in hypertensive model rats. However, the level of hsCRP was non-significantly reduced by rosuvastatin. In normotensive rats treated with rosuvastatin, the level of cystatin C was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Rosuvastatin significantly decreased the level of IL-6, Lp-PLA2, sCD40L, and cystatin C in hypertensive rats while in normotensive rats, rosuvastatin treatment produced only a reduction of cystatin C. Our results suggest an anti-inflammatory effect of rosuvastatin in hypertention through reduction of inflammatory markers.