Simvastatin Preserves the Ischemic-Reperfused Myocardium in Normocholesterolemic Rat Hearts

Abstract

These results provide evidence that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are potent and effective cardioprotective agents that inhibit leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions and preserve cardiac contractile function and coronary perfusion after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Moreover, these effects are unrelated to the cholesterol-lowering action of this agent and appear to be mediated by enhanced endothelial release of NO.