The Effects of Atorvastatin on the Nitric Oxide-system in Healthy Young Man

Subjects will be examined on two examination days. 4 days prior to each examination day subjects are treated with either atorvastatin or placebo. During treatment periods subject are given a standardized diet. On the examination days subject are given L-NMMA(L-NG-monomethyl Arginine citrate), a NO inhibitor, 6 mg bolus infusion followed by continuous 4 mg/kg/hr infusion for 1 hour. Renal function, central hemodynamic and vasoactive hormones are evaluated prior, during and after L-NMMA infusion. Renal function is measured by renal clearance of 51Cr-EDTA and urinary sodium, potassium and albumin concentration. Urinary excretion of protein from sodium channels such as the NaCl cotransporter (NCC), the Na-K-Cl cotransporter (NKCC) and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)will be measured to evaluate channel activity in the nephron. Central blood pressure, pulse wave analysis, and augmentation index are measured using SphygmoCor® from Atcor. The vasoactive hormones aldosterone, renin, angiotensin II, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic (BNP) and endothelin is measured in plasma