The effects of simvastatin on angiogenesis: studied by an original model of atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction in rabbit

Statins have shown pleiotropic effects, many of them independent of their impact on lipids. Angiogenesis can be beneficial in the acute myocardial infarction to improve circulation. However, it also can be harmful due to worsening of atherosclerosis. Here, we established a new minimal invasive rabbit model to study ischemic myocardium and atherosclerosis together to mimic clinical scenario. We demonstrated that simvastatin has the effect of pro-angiogenesis and further improve cardiac function in ischemic myocardium, as well as the effect of anti-angiogenesis to improve atherosclerosis in aorta vessels.