Lovastatin Incubation Improves Acetylcholine-Induced Relaxation in Isolated Aortic Rings of Diabetic Rat

To evaluate the acute effect of lovastatin on diabetic endothelial dysfunction, we examined this effect on the aortic rings of streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The endothelial function was assessed in aortic rings isolated from diabetic rats, 12 weeks after treatment with streptozotocin (45 mg/kg, i.p.). The concentration-response curve to acetylcholine (Ach) in the aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (10-6 M) was significantly diminished in diabetic groups; and maximum relaxation in control and diabetic groups were 82±1.93% and 48±2.39% respectively (a 42% decrease, P