Effect of high-dose atorvastatin on advanced soft atherosclerotic plaque in rabbit carotid artery using ultrasonographic and histological methods

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of high-dose atorvastatin on advanced soft atherosclerotic plaque in the rabbit common carotid artery. In this experimental study، the common carotid arteries in 17 rabbits were injured through perivascular liquid nitrogen followed by a 1. 5% cholesterol-rich diet for eight weeks. The animals were randomly divided into three groups including A: a cholesterol-rich diet (8 weeks)، B: control and discontinuation of cholesterol-rich diet (12 weeks) and C: high-dose atorvastatin administration (5 mg/kg/day) and discontinuation the cholesterol-rich diet (12 weeks). Blood volume flow and blood mean velocity were measured by color Doppler ultrasonography. Moreover، mean wall thickness and percentage of luminal cross-sectional area of stenosis were measured by B-mode ultrasonography and histological methods in the stenotic region of the common carotid artery. Results showed a significant reduction in the serum lipid parameters، peak systolic blood pressure، blood mean pressure، blood mean velocity، mean value for wall thickness and the percentage of luminal cross-sectional area of stenosis. Moreover، results showed a significant increase in the peak diastolic blood pressure and blood volume flow in group C compared with the other groups (P<0. 05). The pleiotropic and lipophilic effects of high-dose atorvastatin accompanied by discontinuation of cholesterol-rich diet can cause to exterminate the microvessels، improve the fibro-lipid lesion in the soft plaque and significantly dilate the luminal cross-sectional area of stenosis.