Histological Studies on Skeletal Muscles of Albino Rats Under the Effectof Atorvastatin

Abstract

Introduction:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on the structure of skeletal muscles in male albino rats and the possibility of recovery of any changes in the muscles. Drug used: Atorvastatin (Lipitor 20mg) tablets.The daily single oral dose was 1.6 mg /kg body weight. Experimental animals: Twenty five adult local strain male albino rats with average weight of 160 gm were chosen, divided into five equal groups and fed on ordinary rat diet: Group I (control group), Group II treated with atorvastatin (1.6 mg/kg/b.wt/day) for two weeks, Group III treated with atorvastatin for two weeks then stopped receiving treatment for two weeks (recovery group 1), Group IV treated with atorvastatin for four weeks and Group V treated with atorvastatin for four weeks then stopped receiving treatment for four weeks (recovery group II). Results: Administration of atorvastatin for long duration resulted in some sort of myotoxic structural changes and apoptosis as evident by deformity in the mitochondria , lack of striation , degeneration of nuclei and splitting of muscle fibres in the adult male albino rat skeletal muscle. Conclusions:Atorvastatin (statin) has many adverse effects on the skeletal muscle tissues with treatmant for long duration (Group IV). So, patients should avoid the possible side effects.