Fluvastatin increases prostacyclin and decreases endothelin production by human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Fluvastatin, an agent of a class of lipid-lowering drugs, the "statins", si gnificantly enhanced prostacyclin synthesis at the concentrations of 0.1 mu M and 1 mu M and significantly reduced endothelin production at the concen trations 0.01, 0.1 and 1 mu M in cell cultures of human umbilical endotheli al veins. Since prostacyclin is a vasodilator and endothelin a vasoconstric tor, fluvastatin may have a significant effect on hemodynamics by favoring the balance towards vasodilation. This mechanism may contribute to the prev ention of cardiovascular diseases.