Endocrine Abstracts

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by low-grade inflammation and determined as an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Recently, reports have demonstrated the antiinflammatory effects of statins. Often, the inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase called atorvastatin was used in these experiments.

Therefore, the aim of the present study was to test the effect of atorvastatin (10 mg/day) on growth factors (ghrelin, IGF1) levels in piglets with MS. The changes of biomarkers of inflammation such as IL-6, TNF in statin-treated animals were examined as well.

In order to develop diabetic piglets model, animals received streptozotocin (STZ). Atorvastatin was administrated alone (i.p.) or in combination with STZ. The plasma cytokines (IL-6 and TNF) levels were measured by commercial ELISA kits. The ghrelin and IGF1 plasma levels were estimated by radioimmunological method. Plasma levels of cytokines were significantly increased in STZ treated piglets what confirmed chronic inflammation status. Atorvastatin alone did not changed the control levels of inflammatory factors but statin given with STZ completely reversed the stimulatory effect of STZ on IL-6 and TNF. Interestingly, the plasma ghrelin level was increased in STZ and atorvastatin alone treated animals by 34 and 47%, respectively. Moreover, similar changes of IGF1 plasma concentration were observed. In contrast, the co-administration of STZ and statin decreased the IGF1 as well as ghrelin to the level observed in control group.

Thus, the obtained results clearly showed the anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin. Additionally, statin might be suggested as a factor promoting protective effects of ghrelin and IGF1 during metabolic syndrome.