The influence of lovastatin on thrombomodulin gene expression in vascular endothelial cells--in vitro study

OBJECTIVE Statins reduce lipids concentration in blood. The latest investigations show they also improved the function of vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Thrombomodulin (TM) is particularly important marker of ECs activity. We investigated the in vitro effect of lovastatin on the expression level of TM gene. METHODS AND RESULTS ECs were incubated for 24 h in culture medium including lovastatin in 3 concentrations: 0.1, 1.0, 10.0 mol/l. The mRNA level of TM increased in correlation with rising concentrations of lovastatin to 600 % vs. control group. CONCLUSIONS TM is essential antithrombotic factor in endothelial cells. Lovastatin significantly raises thrombomodulin gene expression. It is important characteristics of this medicine, which prevents cardiovascular events.