The Effect Of Simvastatin On Nitric oxide Synthase Activity In Vascular Endothelial Cell Line (HUVEC)

Simvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A Reductase inhibitor widely used in lowering cholesterol levels.This study was aimed at assessing the effect of simvastatin on the activity of nitric oxide synthase in the vascular endothelial cell line HUVEC. MTT method was used to evaluate the effect of simvastatin on HUVEC vascular endothelial cell line. The effect of simvastatin on iNOS gene expression in HUVEC vascular endothelial cell line was investigated using real-time PCR technique. The effect of Simvastatin on the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase was investigated using grease colorimetry. With increasing Simvastatin concentration, the survival of HUVEC vascular endothelial cells decreased compared to the control group (P≤0.05). In addition, the expression of INOS enzyme gene in the group receiving 55 µl/ml of simvastatin was significantly different and increased compared to the control group (P≤0.05). Simvastatin at concentrations higher than 125 µl/ml simvastatin was not significantly different from the control group. However, at lower concentrations (62, 31, and 16 µl/ml), a significant difference was observed and increased compared to the control group (P≤0.05). Considering the decrease in the level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and its effects on human diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases, the use of simvastatin can be helpful in patients exposed to disease due to endothelial nitric oxide dysfunction..