Abstract: Objective To investigate the roles of endothelial lipase(EL) in renal hypertensive vascular remodeling and the effects of atorvastatin intervention. Methods Renal hypertension rat models were constructed through two-kidney-one-clip technique. Twenty-one rats were randomly divided equally into sham operation group (Sham),renal hypertension group(RH),atorvastatin-treated group(ATV).Atorvastatin treatment(30 mg/kg·d) was started four weeks after model construction and lasted 8 consecutive weeks, given through lavage. All rats were evaluated caudal systolic blood pressure(SBP),microscopic changes in vascular structure and ratio of intima media thickness to lumen diameter(MT／LD) of thoracic aorta. The expressions of EL and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB）were assessed with immunohistochemical staining, the expression of EL mRNA with Real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Results Compared with Sham group,RH group showed significant increase in SBP、MT/LD and the expressions of EL、EL mRNA and NF-κB, and significant decrease in HDL、TC and LDL levels（P＜0.05）.As compared with RH group, MT/LD and the expressions of EL、EL mRNA and NF-κB of ATV group were significantly decreased, HDL level significantly increased, TC and LDL levels significantly decreased（P＜0.05）. Conclusions Atorvastatin was shown to alleviate the development of vascular remodeling in renal hypertensive rats, possibly associated with decreased expression of EL.

Key words: Endothelial lipase, Vascular remodeling, Atorvastatin