Upregulation of Type III endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

A method for increasing endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase activity in a subject to treat a nonhyperlipidemic condition favorably affected by an increase in endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase activity in a tissue comprising:

• administering to a subject in need of such treatment a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount effective to increase endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase activity in said tissue of the subject.

A method for reducing brain injury resulting from a stroke comprising:

• administering to a subject having an abnormally high risk of an ischemic stroke, a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount effective to increase endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase activity in the brain tissue of the subject.

A method for treating pulmonary hypertension comprising:

• administering to a subject in need of such treatment a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount effective to increase endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase activity in the pulmonary tissue of the subject.

A method for treating heart failure comprising:

• administering to a subject in need of such treatment a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount effective to increase endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase activity in the heart tissue of the subject.

A method for treating progressive renal disease comprising:

• administering to a subject in need of such treatment a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount effective to increase endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase activity in the kidney tissue of the subject.

A method for treating a subject to increase blood flow in a tissue of the subject, comprising:

• administering to a subject in need of such treatment a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor in an amount effective to increase endothelial cell Nitric Oxide Synthase activity in the tissue of the subject.