 |
|
Effect of Systemic Administration of Simvastatin on Retinal Circulation
Taiji Nagaoka, MD, PhD;
Atsushi Takahashi, MD;
Eiichi Sato, MD, PhD;
Naohiro Izumi, MD;
Travis W. Hein, PhD;
Lih Kuo, PhD;
Akitoshi Yoshida, MD, PhD
Arch Ophthalmol. 2006;124:665-670.
Objective To investigate the effect of systemic administration of simvastatin on the retinal circulation.
Methods The effects of systemic administration of simvastatin on the retinal circulation after 90 minutes and after 7 days were studied in a placebo-controlled, double-masked, clinical trial among 12 healthy men. We used laser Doppler velocimetry to measure vessel diameter and blood velocity and calculated the blood flow in retinal arteries and veins. We also measured the intraocular pressure and the plasma nitrite/nitrate levels, the stable end products of nitric oxide metabolism.
Results There were no significant changes in any retinal circulatory parameters at 90 minutes after administration of simvastatin. Daily administration of simvastatin for 7 days significantly increased blood velocity and blood flow in retinal arteries and veins but did not significantly change vessel diameter. The intraocular pressure significantly decreased at 90 minutes and at 7 days after administration of simvastatin. Simvastatin also significantly increased the plasma nitrite/nitrate levels.
Conclusion Simvastatin induced an increase in blood velocity and blood flow in retinal arteries and veins, increased the plasma nitrite/nitrate levels, and decreased the intraocular pressure, probably through the increase in nitric oxide.
Author Affiliations: Department of Ophthalmology, Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa, Japan (Drs Nagaoka, Takahashi, Sato, Izumi, and Yoshida); and Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, Scott & White Eye Institute, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, Temple (Drs Nagaoka, Hein, and Kuo).
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
C-Reactive Protein Inhibits Endothelium-Dependent Nitric Oxide-Mediated Dilation of Retinal Arterioles via Enhanced Superoxide Production
Nagaoka et al.
IOVS 2008;49:2053-2060.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Retinal Arteriolar Hemodynamic Response to a Combined Isocapnic Hyperoxia and Glucose Provocation in Early Sight-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy
Gilmore et al.
IOVS 2008;49:699-705.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Resveratrol, a Component of Red Wine, Elicits Dilation of Isolated Porcine Retinal Arterioles: Role of Nitric Oxide and Potassium Channels
Nagaoka et al.
IOVS 2007;48:4232-4239.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Simvastatin Elicits Dilation of Isolated Porcine Retinal Arterioles: Role of Nitric Oxide and Mevalonate-Rho Kinase Pathways
Nagaoka et al.
IOVS 2007;48:825-832.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
