AimTo observe the intervention of atorvastatin on myocardial energy metabolism in rabbits with hypercholesterolemia.MethodsTwenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:control group,cholesterol group, atorvastatin treated group fed with cholesterol.After feeding for 6 weeks,the empty stomach blood preparation through ear marginal vein were collected,the levels of serum total cholesterol were determined;the myocardium was taken to observe its ultrastructures by electron microscopy;High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure myocardial mitochondria ATP and CoQ10;Ultraviolet spectrophotomtry was used to measure the activities of SDH and CCO.ResultsIn cholesterol group there were myocardial fibers derangement,part of the fracture,dissolution,mitochondria swelling,crest disturbance,fuzzy, and Comparing with control group,the activities of SDH and CCO were significantly decreased,the content of myocardial mitochondria ATP and CoQ10 was significantly decreased(p<0.01).Compared with cholesterol group, the activities of SDH and CCO in atorvastatin treated group were increased(p<0.01), and comparing the content of myocardial mitochondria ATP and CoQ10, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05).ConclusionsAtorvastatin may reduce structure damage of myocardial mitochondrial cause by hypercholesterolemia,increase the activities of SDH and CCO,thereby improve the oxidative phosphorylation capacity of mitochondrial.