Effects of atorvastatin on angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia and endothelial progenitor cell formation in rats.

Aim: To investigate the mechanisms underlying the pro-angiogenic effects of statin, the effects of atorvastatin were investigated on the expression of angiogenic factors in ischemic hindlimbs of rats. The function and number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were investigated in hypertensive rats.

Methods: Hindlimb ischemia rats were administered 10 or 30 mg/kg/day atorvastatin orally for 2 weeks.