Simvastatin preserves diastolic function in experimental hypercholesterolemia independently of its lipid lowering effect

ObjectiveIsolated diastolic dysfunction is present in 40% of heart failure patients. It has been attributed to myocardial fibrosis and related to cardiovascular risk factor exposure. We hypothesized that simvastatin will improve these dynamics in experimental hypercholesterolemia (HC).MethodsThree groups of pigs were studied after 12 weeks of normal (N) diet, HC diet, or HC diet with simvastatin (80 mg/day) treatment. Cardiac function was assessed by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) and percentage of myocardium occupied by microvessels (myocardial vascular fraction) was calculated by micro-CT. Collagen content was determined by Sirius red staining and confirmed by a quantitative, hydroxyoproline-based assay.ResultsCompared with N, LDL serum concentration was higher in HC and HC + simvastatin (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 7.9 ± 1.7 and 9.6 ± 1.2 mmol/L, p < 0.05 for both). Cardiac early diastolic filling was reduced in HC compared with N (102.4 ± 11.3 vs. 151.1 ± 12.1 mL/s; p < 0.05) but restored in HC + simvastatin (176.8 ± 21.3 mL/s, p < 0.05 vs. HC). Compared with N, myocardial vascular fraction was higher in HC but not in HC + simvastatin (1.98 ± 0.84 vs. 4.48 ± 0.31 and 2.95 ± 0.95%; p < 0.05 for HC vs. N). Myocardial collagen content was higher in HC than in HC + simvastatin and N (4.72 ± 1.03 vs. 1.62 ± 0.12 and 1.21 ± 0.24% area staining; p < 0.05 for HC vs. N), which was attributable mainly to an increase in collagen III (2.90 ± 0.48 vs. 1.62 ± 0.12 and 1.21 ± 0.24% area staining; p < 0.05 for HC vs. N).ConclusionsSimvastatin is able to prevent diastolic dysfunction in experimental HC independent of its lipid lowering effect. This beneficial effect is, at least partially, due to a decrease in myocardial fibrosis and angiogenesis.