transforming-growth-factor-beta and pitavastatin

Pitavastatin inhibits 3 hydroxy 3 methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase enzyme, preventing cholesterol synthesis along with elevating high density apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A1). The present study was designed to evaluate cardioprotective potential of pitavastatin at 1 mg/kg/day and 3 mg/kg/day dose for 14 days in low dose isoproterenol (ISO) (5 mg/kg/day for 7 consecutive days) induced myocardial damage. ISO administration induced significant reduction in endogenous antioxidant enzymes like reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and raised thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) indicating activated lipid peroxidation. Along with this, a significant increase in level of cardiac injury biomarkers vie, creatine kinase (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate amino transferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) as well as brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Histological examination also revealed marked myocardial tissue damage in ISO treated rats. However, pretreatment with pitavastatin (3 mg/kg/day) significantly maintained nearly normal levels of cardiac biomarkers and oxidant antioxidant status as well as lipid peroxidation in ISO induced MI rats. Cardiac histological assessment and infarct size assessment also showed marked reduction in myocardial architecture alteration including infarct size as well as collagen deposition by pitavastatin that strongly supported biochemical findings. These observations strongly corroborate that pitavastatin prevents myocardial damages via up regulation of endogenous oxidants along with its hypocholesterolemic activity.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Catalase; Collagen; Creatine Kinase, MB Form; Free Radicals; Glutathione; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Inflammation; Isoproterenol; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Myocardium; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; Quinolines; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Superoxide Dismutase; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Podocytes injury is involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy. This study was designed to confirm the reno- and podocyte-protective effects of pitavastatin in diabetic rats and clarify its mechanisms.. Wistar rats were divided into 4 treatment groups: control, streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg)-induced diabetes, STZ with pitavastatin (10 mg/kg/day), and STZ with tempol (1 mmol/l).. STZ-induced diabetic rats exhibited increases in urinary protein excretion and plasma creatinine, and a decrease in creatinine clearance. Pitavastatin significantly improved these parameters without reducing cholesterol levels, whereas tempol did not. The treatment with STZ-enhanced renal fibrosis, mesangial proliferation, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, MCP-1 and suppressed Rho in association with decrement of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7 expression in renal cortex. Moreover, STZ decreased podocyte related factors, podocin and nephrin, and BMP-7 in podocytes. Pitavastatin significantly ameliorated all these indices. On the other hand, improvement by tempol was found only in TGF-β, MCP-1 and histological changes.. Pitavastatin exhibited reno- and podocyte-protective effects accompanied by BMP-7 preservation and Rho suppression.

Topics: Animals; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; Chemokine CCL2; Creatinine; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Gene Expression; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Kidney; Male; Malondialdehyde; Membrane Proteins; Nitrates; Nitrites; Protective Agents; Proteinuria; Quinolines; Rats, Wistar; rho-Associated Kinases; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Up-Regulation

We have reported previously that intermittent hypoxia related to sleep apnea induces cardiovascular remodeling secondary to the oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of pitavastatin as an antioxidant to prevent intermittent hypoxia-induced left ventricular (LV) remodeling in mice without hypercholesterolemia. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (n=35) were exposed to intermittent hypoxia (30 s exposure to 5% oxygen, followed by 30 s exposure to 21% oxygen) for 8 h per day during the daytime or maintained under normoxic conditions; in addition, they were either treated with pitavastatin (3 mg kg(-1) per day) or vehicle for 10 days. After cardiac catheterization and blood sampling, the LV myocardium was examined. The systemic blood pressure and plasma level of total cholesterol were similar among the four groups. Intermittent hypoxia significantly increased the expression levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) proteins, TNF-alpha and TGF-beta mRNA, and also the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin end labeling (TUNEL)-positive myocardial cells in the LV myocardium. In addition, enhanced hypertrophy of the cardiomyocytes, perivascular fibrosis and histological degeneration were observed in the mice exposed to hypoxic stress. Treatment with pitavastatin significantly suppressed the expression levels of the 4-HNE proteins, cytokines, superoxide production and TUNEL-positive myocardial cells in the LV myocardium, consequently attenuating the hypoxia-induced histological changes. Pitavastatin preserved, at least partially, the morphological structure of the LV myocardium in lean mice exposed to intermittent hypoxia, through its antioxidant effect.

Topics: Aldehydes; Animals; Antioxidants; Blood Pressure; Cholesterol; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Hypoxia; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Myocardium; Oxidative Stress; Quinolines; Sleep Apnea Syndromes; Thinness; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Ventricular Remodeling

Topics: Aminosalicylic Acids; Benzenesulfonates; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Quinolines; Signal Transduction; STAT3 Transcription Factor; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Statins possess pleiotropic effects in several tissues. Among them, their bone anabolic actions have been recently noted. We have proposed that Smad3, a TGF-beta-signaling molecule, is a promoter of bone formation. However, whether statins would affect TGF-beta-Smad3 pathway in osteoblasts is still unknown. The present study was performed to examine the effects of statin on Smad3 expression and cell apoptosis by employing mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 and rat osteoblastic UMR-106 cells. Statins (pitavastatin, mevastatin, and simvastatin) as well as alendronate increased the levels of Smad3 in MC3T3-E1 cells. The effects of pitavastatin on Smad3 levels were observed from 3 hours and later. Pitavastatin induced the expression of TGF-beta, and cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, antagonized the increased levels of pitavastatin on Smad3. On the other hand, pitavastatin antagonized dexamethasone- or etoposide-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, and Smad3 inactivation by dominant negative Smad3 or an inhibition of endogenous TGF-beta action by SB431542 antagonized anti-apoptotic effects of pitavastatin, indicating that pitavastatin suppressed osteoblast apoptosis partly through TGF-beta-Smad3 pathway. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated for the first time that statin suppressed cell apoptosis partly through TGF-beta-Smad3 pathway in osteoblastic cells.

Topics: Alendronate; Animals; Apoptosis; Cell Line; Gene Expression; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lovastatin; Mice; Osteoblasts; Quinolines; Rats; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Signal Transduction; Simvastatin; Smad3 Protein; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular remodeling leading to hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Pitavastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inihibitor, is known to have pleiotropic actions against the development of cardiovascular remodeling. The objectives of this study were to clarify the beneficial effects as well as the mechanism of action of pitavastatin against Ang II-induced organ damage. C57BL6/J mice at 10 weeks of age were infused with Ang II for 2 weeks and were simultaneously administered pitavastatin or a vehicle. Pitavastatin treatment improved Ang II-induced left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction and attenuated enhancement of cardiac fibrosis, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, coronary perivascular fibrosis, and medial thickening. Ang II-induced oxidative stress, cardiac TGFbeta-1 expression, and Smad 2/3 phosphorylation were all attenuated by pitavastatin treatment. Pitavastatin also reduced Ang II-induced cardiac remodeling and diastolic dysfunction in eNOS-/- mice as in wild-type mice. In eNOS-/- mice, the Ang II-induced cardiac oxidative stress and TGF-beta-Smad 2/3 signaling pathway were enhanced, and pitavastatin treatment attenuated the enhanced oxidative stress and the signaling pathway. Moreover, pitavastatin treatment reduced the high mortality rate and improved renal insufficiency in Ang II-treated eNOS-/- mice, with suppression of glomerular oxidative stress and TGF-beta-Smad 2/3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, pitavastatin exerts eNOS-independent protective actions against Ang II-induced cardiovascular remodeling and renal insufficiency through inhibition of the TGF-beta-Smad 2/3 signaling pathway by suppression of oxidative stress.

Topics: Angiotensin II; Animals; Cardiotonic Agents; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Oxidative Stress; Quinolines; Renal Insufficiency; Signal Transduction; Smad2 Protein; Smad3 Protein; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Ventricular Remodeling

It has been shown that a statin (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme reductase inhibitor) enhances a suppressive effect of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) blocker (ARB) on injury-induced transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta expression in kidneys. We have shown that TGF-beta plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis. In this study, we tested whether a combinatory use of a statin (pitavastatin) and an ARB (candesartan) may further inhibit liver fibrogenesis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats. Candesartan (8 mg/kg/day) significantly suppressed injury-induced TGF-beta 1 expression in livers, and attenuated fibrogenesis, as evaluated by masson-trichrome staining and hydroxyproline content in livers. Pitavastatin (2 mg/kg/day) alone did not affect liver fibrogenesis. However, it enhanced significantly the suppressive effects of candesartan on TGF-beta 1 expression and fibrogenesis. Although we do not know the underlying molecular mechanisms at this moment, these results suggest that a combinatory use of a statin and an ARB may confer beneficial effects on human liver fibrogenesis.

Topics: Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Benzimidazoles; Biphenyl Compounds; Carbon Tetrachloride; Depression, Chemical; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Quinolines; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tetrazoles; Transforming Growth Factor beta

To clarify the mechanism of the stimulatory effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) on bone formation, we investigated the effect of pitavastatin, a newly developed statin, on expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and osteocalcin in primary cultured human osteoblasts. Pitavastatin increased the expression level of mRNA for BMP-2, and much more effectively for osteocalcin. This stimulatory effect was abolished by the addition of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, an essential molecule for prenylation of small GTP-binding proteins such as Rho GTPase, but not by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase and various protein kinases. Pitavastatin suppressed the Rho-associated kinase (Rho-kinase) activity. Hydroxyfasudil, a specific inhibitor of Rho-kinase, increased BMP-2 and osteocalcin expression. These mRNA levels were strongly suppressed by dexamethasone, but restored by co-treatment with hydroxyfasudil. These observations suggest that the Rho-kinase negatively regulates bone formation and the inhibition of Rho and Rho-kinase pathway is the major mechanism of the statin effect on bone. Moreover, a Rho-kinase inhibitor may be a new therapeutic reagent for the treatment of osteoporosis such as glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Topics: Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Cells, Cultured; Gene Expression; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Osteoblasts; Osteocalcin; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Quinolines; rho-Associated Kinases; RNA, Messenger; Transforming Growth Factor beta

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors have been reported to suppress smooth muscle cell growth and arterial neointimal thickening. In this study, to elucidate the potency and mechanisms of NK-104 ((+)-monocalcium bis[(3R,5S,6E)-7-[2-cyclopropyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-quinolyl]-3,5-dihydroxy-6-heptenoate], CAS 147526-32-7) in neointimal thickening, the effect of NK-104 on the neointimal thickening, Br-dU-labeled cell number and extracellular matrix immunohistochemistry were examined in balloon-injured rabbit carotid artery. NK-104 suppressed the neointimal thickening dose-dependently, and the suppression was 69.5% at 1.0 mg/kg. NK-104 suppressed the intimal total and Br-dU-labeled cell number. Fibronectin and type I collagen were observed in 81% and 38% of the total intimal area in the control arteries, respectively, and the areas occupied by fibronectin and type I collagen were significantly decreased by 1.0 mg/kg NK-104 to 39% and 22%, respectively. The decrease in fibronectin per cell was more potently demonstrated. Aortic total and activated TGF-beta contents that were markedly increased in the injured artery were increased further by NK-104. NK-104 concentration-dependently suppressed fibronectin content of the basement lesion in rabbit primary cultured smooth muscle cells. These findings suggest that NK-104 suppresses balloon-injury-induced neointimal thickening through inhibition of intimal smooth muscle cell growth and extracellular matrix accumulation.

Topics: Animals; Aorta; Carotid Arteries; Carotid Artery Injuries; Catheterization; Cell Division; Cell Line; DNA; Eukaryotic Cells; Extracellular Matrix; Fibronectins; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lipids; Mevalonic Acid; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Pravastatin; Quinolines; Rabbits; Simvastatin; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Tunica Intima; Tunica Media