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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: 5-Lipoxygenase-Activating Proteins, Animals, Anticholesteremic Agents, Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase, Atorvastatin, Carotid Stenosis, Carrier Proteins, Disease Models, Animal, Elastic Tissue, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Gene Expression, Heptanoic Acids, Leukotriene D4, Lipids, Lipoxins, Membrane Proteins, Muscle, Smooth, Vascular, Pyrroles, RNA, Messenger, Rabbits, Receptors, Leukotriene, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Tunica Intima.
user
Does atorvastatin reduce plaque vulnerability in an atherosclerotic rabbit model by altering the 5-lipoxygenase pathway? Context: The 5-lipoxygenase catalyzed formation of leukotriene lipid mediators is a mediator for inflammatory response in arteries. The present study investigated the relationship between atorvastatin and the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in an atherosclerotic rabbit model. Thirty male New Zealand White Rabbits were randomized into negative control, positive control and atorvastatin groups. At week 4, the rabbits were subjected to carotid balloon-dilation injury or carotid balloon-dilation injury, followed by treatment with atorvastatin. At week 12, all the animals were sacrificed. Plasma lipids, LTD(4), and 15-epi-lipoxin A(4) were measured using the enzymatic endpoint method and ELISA, respectively. RT-PCR was performed to detect the gene expression of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein and cysLT1R in rabbit carotid arteries. Finally, histological analysis was used to evaluate the pathophysiological changes of rabbit carotid arteries. The results showed atorvastatin markedly lowered serum lipids and LTD(4) levels compared with the control group. Similarly, mRNA expression of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein and cysLT1R was significantly inhibited by atorvastatin. Decreased carotid plaque instability was evident in atorvastatin-treated animals, as demonstrated by a thickened elastic layer, less neointima hyperplasia and macrophage proliferation.
assistant
Atorvastatin may stabilize carotid plaque by regulating the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in atherosclerotic rabbits and delay the progression of atherosclerosis by exerting anti-inflammatory effects. Final Decision: yes