Effect Of Atorvastatin On Secretion And Cholesterol Efflux In Adipocytes From Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits

BackgroundAtherosclerotic diseases are the leading cause threatening human health. Obesity is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Since dysfunctions of adipocytes play a key role for obesity, studying functions of adipocytes is of great significance for the prevent and treatment of obesity and CHD. Adipocyte functions have been further explored and recognized recently. Dysfunctional adipocytes have been thought to be in close relation with atherosclerosis.Adipose tissue is the largest energy reservoir in the body. It stores excess energy in form of triacylglycerol. Moreover, adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that secretes various adipokines, many of which might play significant roles in atherogenesis. Leptin is synthesized and released mainly by adipocytes and is a major regulator of appetite and energy storage due to its effects on the hypothalamus. It has been shown that hyperleptinemia may involve in the development of atheroscerosis and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The elevated level of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), an inflammatory cytokine, is closely associated with the severity of atherosclerosis. In addition to cells of the macrophage-monocyte lineage, TNF-a can be secreted by adipocytes. The adipose tissue is a significant source of endogenous TNF-a production.Adipocytes may play a significant role in cholesterol metabolism in the body. Adipose tissue contains the largest pool of free cholesterol in the body, which performs a "buffer" function for circulating cholesterol. The efflux of excess free cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or its apolipoprotein is crucial for maintaining adipocyte cholesterol homeostasis. Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) facilitates free...