Functional and morphological consequences after atorvastatin intake in a rat model of intracerebral haemorrhage

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical Physiology-Alexandria Faculty of Medicine-Egypt

2 Department of Histology and Cell biology- Alexandria Faculty of Medicine-Egypt

3 Department of Clinical Pharmacology- Alexandria Faculty of Medicine- Egypt

4 Department of Anatomy- Alexandria Faculty of Medicine- Egypt

Abstract

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating disease for which there are currently no curative treatment options. Hypolipidemia has been recognized as a possible risk factor for ICH. Several studies have demonstrated that low cholesterol is a risk factor for ICH; others have reported that hypercholesterolemia is protective against ICH. The current study was designed to demonstrate the effect of low LDL levels on vascular endothelial cells integrity and subsequently on the development of ICH in rats. Material and methods: This study was carried on male Wistar albino rats divided into 2 groups: Group I: normal Sham-operated rats; Group II: ICH rats, were randomly subdivided into 3 subgroups (17 rat each): rats received 2% gum acacia daily orally; rats received atorvastatin 10 mg/kg daily alone or with L-arginine (143 mg/kg) orally for four weeks before induction of ICH and continued for one week after. Behavioural tests were performed 2, 24, and 48 h after ICH and 7 days later. Serum lipid profile was assessed. Brains were dissected and assessed macroscopically and microscopically for the extent of hematoma, brain water content and endothelin level in the brain homogenate were investigated. Immunoassaying for glial acidic fibrillary protein and Ki67 were performed. Results& Conclusion: Rats received atorvastatin and L-arginine showed a significant decrease in serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration. ICH led to marked impairment in motor functions. Atorvastatin and L-arginine intake before haemorrhage failed to impose any protection on the motor deficits with corresponding large hematoma size with disruption of nearby tissue.

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