Hematological and Biochemical Studies on the Effect of Statins (Lipitor) on Male Albino Rats

Abstract

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) is one of the statins that have been known for their lipid-lowering effects, as well as their pleiotropic functions. The current study aimed to evaluate some pleiotropic effects of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg b.wt of atorvastatin, orally administered tohypercholesterolemicmale rats, daily for 4 weeks. The changes in body weights were tracked throughout the experiment. The study investigated serum lipid profile, atherogenic and coronary artery indices. Regarding erythrocytes membranes fluidity, erythrocytes membrane lipids and cholesterol were estimated, in addition to complete blood count and coagulation tests including, prothrombin time and partial prothrombintime. The Anticoagulant factors fibrinogen, antithrombin III, protein C, and protein S were also assessed. High-intense doses (40 and 80 mg/kg b.wt) of atorvastatin attenuatedobesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and LDL-C concentrations. Moreover, these doses of atorvastatin reduced erythrocytes membranes lipid and cholesterol levels. Further, both doses attenuated antithrombin III, protein-C and-S, and platelets count in comparison with untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. In conclusion, high-intense doses of atorvastatin exhibited anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects. Moreover, these doses also showed pleiotropic potentials represented by improvement of fluidity of erythrocytes membranes, reduction of coagulation and thrombosis development, which would prevent future incidence of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.