The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor simvastatin activates the protein kinase Akt and promotes angiogenesis in normocholesterolemic animals

Yasuko Kureishi, Zhengyu Luo, Ichiro Shiojima, Ann Bialik, David Fulton, David J. Lefer, William C. Sessa, Kenneth Walsh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1344 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent studies suggest that statins can function to protect the vasculature in a manner that is independent of their lipid-lowering activity. We show here that statins rapidly activate the protein kinase Akt/PKB in endothelial cells. Accordingly, simvastatin enhanced phosphorylation of the endogenous Akt substrate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inhibited apoptosis and accelerated vascular structure formation in vitro in an Akt-dependent manner. Similar to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment, both simvastatin administration and enhanced Akt signaling in the endothelium promoted angiogenesis in ischemic limbs of normocholesterolemic rabbits. Therefore, activation of Akt represents a mechanism that can account for some of the beneficial side effects of statins, including the promotion of new blood vessel growth.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1004-1010
Number of pages7
JournalNature Medicine
Volume6
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2000
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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