The Effects of Pitavastatin on Nuclear Factor-Kappa B and ICAM-1 in Human Saphenous Vein Graft Endothelial Culture.

Objective: To study pitavastatin's effects on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B ) and adhesion molecules in human saphenous vein graft endothelial culture indicating its pleotropic properties.

Materials And Method: Low-dose (0.1 M/L) and high-dose (1M/L) pitavastatin calcium were administered as a frontline therapy in human saphenous endothelial cell culture, followed by induction of inflammation by TNF- and determination of mRNA level alterations of ICAM-1 and NF-B genes of endothelial cells using the qRT-PCR method. Additionally, immunofluorescence method was used to show the expression of NF-B and ICAM-1. Finally, LDH levels were determined by the ELISA method to quantify cytotoxicity.

Results: ICAM-1 mRNA expression in the low-dose pitavastatin+TNF- group was significantly higher than that in the TNF- group and significantly lower than that in the high-dose pitavastatin+TNF- group (for all comparisons, P = 0.001). The low-dose pitavastatin+TNF- group had a similar NF-B mRNA expression with TNF- and high-dose pitavastatinTNF- groups.

Conclusion: Pitavastatin increases ICAM-1 mRNA expression in saphenous vein endothelial cells. Furthermore, the effect of pitavastatin on adhesion molecules appears independent of NF-B. Novel studies are needed in this field.