Abstract: ［Abstract］  Objective〖HTSS〗〓To explore the effects of atorvastatin on airway inflammation and remodeling in rats with asthma.
〖HTH〗〖WTHZ〗Methods〖HTSS〗〓SD male rats were used as experimental animals. Twentyfour rats were divided into three groups randomly. The asthma group and atorvastatin group were sensitized and challenged by ovalbumin. Saline were used to be the sensitized and challenged drug in the control group. Airway resistance of the animals was measured by animal lung function meter. The airway inflammation was observed by pathological method. The levels of vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF）, transforming growth factorβ1（TGFβ1）, matrix metallo proteinase9（MMP9） and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase1（TIMP1） in serum were measured by ELISA. And the MMP9/TIMP1 ratio was also been calculated.
〖HTH〗〖WTHZ〗Results〖HTSS〗〓The airway resistance was higher in asthma group and atorvastatin group than that in normal control group. And the airway resistance was lower in atorvastatin group than that in asthma group(P＜005). The inflammation observed by pathological method was obvious in asthma model group, and that were slighter in atorvastatin groups when compared with asthma model group. The levels of TGFβ1, VEGF, MMP9 and TIMP1 were higher in asthma model group and atorvastatin group than normal control group, and the MMP9/TIMP1 ratio in normal control group were lower than asthma group and atorvastatin group. The levels of TGFβ1, VEGF, MMP9 and TIMP1 were lower in atorvastatin group compared with asthma model group(P＜005), but there was no obvious difference in the MMP9/TIMP1 ratio between asthma model group and atorvastatin group(P＞005).
〖HTH〗〖WTHZ〗Conclusion〖HTSS〗〓Atorvastatin improve airway resistance, inflammation and remodeling in rats with asthma. Atorvastatin could decrease the serum levels of VEGF, TGFβ1, MMP9 and TIMP1, which may play important roles in prevention of inflammation and remodeling.

Key words: asthma, atorvastation, rats