Fig. 4

Long-term high-dose atorvastatin increased intestinal flora richness in naturally ageing rats. (A) The rank abundance plot of each group showed that the HS. The C group had the best species richness and the most uniform species distribution. (B and C) The Venn diagram shows the common and unique OTUs among the different groups. (D-F) The microbial alpha diversity differences (ACE index, observed species index, and PD whole tree index) among groups. (G) Analysis of beta diversity (box plot based on unweighted UniFrac beta diversity) among groups. (H and I) The different time points of the high-dose atorvastatin intervention group were analysed by LDA effect size analysis. (J and K) The top ten groups in terms of abundance at the family and genus levels for different groups. Data are presented as the mean ± SEM. Statistical analyses were performed with the Wilcoxon test (D, E, F, G). *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. CS. A: control group before intervention; CS. B: control group at 3 months; CS. C: control group at 9 months; LS. A: low-dose atorvastatin group before intervention; LS. B: low-dose atorvastatin group at 3 months; LS. C: low-dose atorvastatin group at 9 months; HS. A: high-dose atorvastatin group before intervention; HS. B: high-dose atorvastatin group at 3 months; HS. C: High-dose atorvastatin group at 9 months (n = 5 per group)