Effects of combined rosiglitazone and atorvastatin on aortic atherosclerotic area and tissue factor synthesis in atherosclerotic rabbits

AIM: To investigate the effects of a single administration of rosiglitazone or atorvastatin and combined administration of both on aortic atherosclerotic area and tissue factor (TF) synthesis in peripheral blood monocytes from atherosclerotic rabbits. METHODS: Thirty male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal diet group (n=6) and high-cholesterol diet group (1% cholesterol diet, n=24). After 8 weeks, atherosclerotic rabbits were randomly fed with starch (starch group, n=6), rosiglitazone (rosiglitazone group, n=6), or atorvastatin (atorvastatin group, n=6), or both rosiglitazone and atorvastatin (combination group, n=6). Four weeks later, all rabbits were killed. Monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood monocytes and then cultured for 24 h. TF synthesis was assessed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Atherosclerotic lesions were measured by an experienced pathologist under Beihang Pathology Imaging Analysis System in aortas from atherosclerotic rabbits. RESULTS: Compared with those in the normal diet group, levels of TF antigen and mRNA in monocytes from high-cholesterol diet groups were elevated. Compared with starch, rosiglitazone and atorvastatin decreased the area of atherosclerotic lesions and reduced the levels of TF antigen and mRNA in peripheral blood monocytes from atherosclerotic rabbits. Furthermore, compared with the group of rosiglitazone or atorvastatin, the group of rosiglitazone plus atorvastain achieved a more significant reduction (P<0.01). The area of atherosclerotic lesions were significantly associated with the concentrations of TF antigen and mRNA in monocytes (P<0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Both rosiglitazone and atorvastatin assuage atherosclerosis through suppressing TF synthesis in peripheral blood monocytes from atherosclerotic rabbits. Synergistic administration of rosiglitazone and atorvastatin exerts better anti-atheromatous effects.