Atorvastatin exerts anti-nociceptive activity and decreases serum levels

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of atorvastatin in the treatment of experimental endometriosis.

Methods Endometriosis was induced in 24 female rats. 4 weeks after the procedure dimensions of the foci were recorded. Rats were divided into three groups: in Group 1 (n = 8), a daily dose of 10 mg/kg atorvastatin was given for 14 days. In the second group (n = 8), a single dose of 1 mg/kg leuprolide acetate was injected intraperitoneally. The rats in Group 3 (n = 8) were received 1 mg/kg i.p. 0.9 % NaCl. At the end of the treatment, laparotomy was performed, and the dimensions of the endometriotic foci were recorded. Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were performed and nociception was compared in groups.

Results Atorvastatin treatment exhibited significant analgesic activity in hot plate model (P = 0.022). The serum hs-CRP and tumor necrosis TNF-alpha levels were similar between the Group 2 and Group 3 (P > 0.05); however atorvastatin caused significant decrease in both serum markers. The histological and immunohistochemical scores were also found to be markedly lower in Group 1 and Group 2 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Atorvastatin treatment may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of endometriosis through its anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties.

C1 [Simsek, Yavuz] Kirikkale Univ Fac Med, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Kirikkale, Turkey.

[Gul, Mehmet] Inonu Univ Fac Med, Dept Histol & Embryol, Malatya, Turkey.

[Yilmaz, Ercan] Inonu Univ Fac Med, Dept Obstet & Gynecol, Malatya, Turkey.

[Ozerol, Ibrahim Halil] Inonu Univ Fac Med, Dept Microbiol, Malatya, Turkey.

[Ozerol, Elif] Inonu Univ Fac Med, Dept Biochem, Malatya, Turkey.

[Parlakpinar, Hakan] Inonu Univ Fac Med, Dept Med Pharmacol, Malatya, Turkey.