Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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Hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictors is one of the clinical manifestations of sepsis in man and experimental animals. The objective of the investigation was to examine whether atorvastatin can prevent hyporeactivity to norepinephrine (NE) in mouse aorta in sepsis, and if so, what are the mechanisms involved. Sepsis in mice was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. ⋯ Atorvastatin pretreatment, however, prevented the decrease in α(1D)-adrenoceptor mRNA expression in septic animals. In conclusion, atorvastatin seems to prevent hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictor NE in the aorta from septic mice through attenuation of overproduction of NO as well as improved α(1D)-adrenoceptor mRNA expression. The findings of the present study may explain the beneficial effects of atorvastatin on improved hemodynamic functions in sepsis.