Paradoxical effects of atorvastatin in isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats: Role of oxidative stress and inflammation

Abstract

Atorvastatin (ATV) was previously shown to improve oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in several experimental and clinical studies yet other studies have reported a pro-oxidant and damaging effect upon ATV administration. The present study was directed to investigate the effect of ATV pre- and post-treatment in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Myocardial damage was induced by ISO (5 mg/kg/day, s.c.) for 1 week. ATV (10 mg/kg/day, p.o.) was given for 2 weeks starting 1 week before or after ISO administration. ISO-treated rats showed significant alterations in electrocardiographic recordings, serum creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) level as well as oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. Moreover, ISO administration resulted in endothelial dysfunction and significant histopathological damage. Pre-treatment with ATV aggravated ISO-induced cardiotoxicity. On the other hand, ATV post-treatment succeeded to significantly improve oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, endothelial dysfunction and myocardial degeneration. These results suggest that ATV might produce a synergistic pro-oxidant effect if given before or along with another pro-oxidant (ISO). Thus, caution should be applied upon the use of statin as a prophylactic therapy for primary cardiovascular disease prevention.