Rosuvastatin reduced deep vein thrombosis in ApoE gene deleted mice with hyperlipidemia through non-lipid lowering effects

Introduction: Statins, particularly rosuvastatin, have recently become relevant in the setting of venous thrombosis. The objective of this study was to study the non-lipid lowering effects of rosuvastatin in venous thrombosis in mice with hyperlipidemia. Materials and Methods: An inferior vena cava ligation model of venous thrombosis in mice was utilized. Saline or 5 mg/kg of rosuvastatin was administered by gavage 48hs previous to thrombosis. Blood, the inferior vena cava, thrombus, and liver were harvested 3, 6 hours, and 2 days post-thrombosis. Thrombus weight, inflammatory markers, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression and plasma levels were measured. Also, neutrophil migration to the IVC was assessed. Results: Rosuvastatin significantly decreased thrombus weight, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression and plasma levels, expression of molecules related to the interleukin-6 pathway, and neutrophil migration into the vein wall. Conclusions: This work supports the beneficial effects of rosuvastatin on venous thrombosis in mice with hyperlipidemia, due to its non-lipid lowering effects. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.