Effect of resveratrol combined with atorvastatin on re-endothelialization after drug-eluting stents implantation and the underlying mechanism
Authors: Dong Yin
Jingzhou Chen
Chenxi Song
Changzhe Chen
Dong Zhang
Rui Zhang
Kefei Dou
Journal: Life sciences (2020)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Atorvastatin; Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell; Drug eluting stents; PI3K/Akt/eNOS; Re-endothelialization
Affiliations: Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China., Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences &Peking Union Medical College, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, China., Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences &Peking Union Medical College, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, China. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  Aims: To explore whether the combination of atorvastatins and resveratrol is superior to each individual drug alone regarding re-endothelialization after drug-eluting stents (DESs) implantation. Materials and methods: Ninety-four rabbits were randomized into control, atorvastatin, resveratrol, and combined medication groups. Abdominal aorta injury was induced via ballooning, followed by DES implantation. Neointimal formation and re-endothelialization after stent implantation were assessed via optical coherence tomography and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of resveratrol and atorvastatin on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal derived stem cells (BMSCs) were assessed. Key findings: Compared with the findings in the resveratrol and atorvastatin groups, the neointimal area and mean neointimal thickness were greater in the combined medication group, which also exhibited improved re-endothelialization. Compared with the effects of monotherapy, combined treatment further protected BMSCs against rapamycin-induced apoptosis and improved cell migration. Combined medication significantly upregulated Akt, p-Akt, eNOS, p-eNOS, and CXCR4 expression in BMSCs compared with the effects of monotherapy, and these effects were abolished by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002. Significance: The combination of atorvastatin and resveratrol has the potential of accelerating re-endothelialization after stent implantation, reducing the risk of thrombosis and improving the safety of DESs. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 In Figure 9, a micrograph has been duplicated and presented as something else (control vs Ator). ![file] , 
 Thank you so much for your kind comments. We have checked our figures and as we took several pictures for each treatment group, we apologize for putting the wrong figure for the control group. The original figure in control group was actually an image of atorvastatin group. We have mede the corresponding revisions and upload the correct figure (Due to limited file size, we have to upload a figure with lower resolution. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need the figure with higher resolution). In addition, we have contacted the journal to replace the original figure. Once again, we really appreciate your kind comments and welcome your future constructive criticism. ![file] ,