Activation of TGF-β Receptors and Smad Proteins by Atorvastatin is Related to Reduced Atherogenesis in ApoE/LDLR Double Knockout Mice

Abstract

This study shows that atorvastatin treatment increases the expression of endoglin, ALK-1, ALK-5, phosphorylated forms of Smad1 and Smad2, VEGF and eNOS and reduces atherosclerotic lesion size beyond its lipid lowering effects. Therefore, we propose that endoglin related receptors and signal transducers might play protective role in atherogenesis.