HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ATORVASTATIN IN FEMALE WISTAR RATS

Aim: This study was carried out to assess the possible effects of high doses of atorvastatin on the cellular profile of the liver using histopathological and histochemical techniques to evaluate the liver, heart and kidneys of female albino wistar rats.

Materials and Methods: Eighteen healthy female albino wistar rats weighing 125 to 150 g were used for this experiment. They were separated into three groups (control, therapeutic and experimental) and administered different concentrations (0, 80 and 120 mg/ml) of atorvastatin daily for 21 days. At the expiration of the treatment the animals were sacrificed. Their organs (heart, kidneys and liver) were excised and fixed in formalin solution for histological studies.

Results: The results of the study revealed mild damage to the reticular fibres and depletions of DNA of the liver. The heart muscles did not show significant damage compared to the control. The basement membrane of the kidneys was mildly affected. All the changes observed were dose dependent.

Conclusion: Short term exposure to atorvastatin induced a moderate damage to the liver tissues and kidney tissues, severe damage to the reticular fibres of the liver; and moderate DNA depletions in the liver of treated animals.