Effect of cerivastatin sodium, a new inhibitor of HMG‐CoA reductase, on plasma lipid levels, progression of atherosclerosis, and the lesional composition in the plaques of WHHL rabbits

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Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine whether cerivastatin sodium, a new inhibitor of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase, affects the lesional composition of spontaneously developed atherosclerosis due to hypercholesterolaemia and delays progression of the lesions. We administered cerivastatin to 2‐month‐old WHHL rabbits, a low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐deficient animal model, at a dose of 0.6 mg kg−1 day−1 for 32 weeks. We examined the plasma lipid levels, the severity of atherosclerosis, and composition of atherosclerotic lesions. Lesional composition was determined using immunohistostaining for macrophages and smooth muscle cells, and Azan‐Mallory staining for collagen fibres and extracellular lipid deposits. Compared to the control group, the plasma cholesterol levels were decreased in the treated group by 39% (12.7±0.6 mmol L−1 versus 20.9±1.0 mmol L−1, PPPPPPBritish Journal of Pharmacology (1999) 126, 961–968; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0702382

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