Abstract

ANTI-ATHEROSCLEROTIC EFFECTS OF ATORVASTATIN: A RANDOMISED CONTROL TRIAL

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the Antiatherosclerotic effects of atorvastatin in treating cases of atherosclerosis associated with hyperlipidemia. Forty local domestic rabbits were assigned to five groups (eight rabbits in each group): Group I is the control; group II, rabbit fed 1% cholesterol-diet (induced untreated group) and group III, 1% cholesterol-diet + zofenopril (0.5 mg/kg daily orally). The remaining 16 atherogenic rabbits were randomly allocated into two groups, eight animals each; first group received atherogenic diet only for the next four weeks and served as an atherogenic control (Group IV). In addition to atherogenic diet, the other group received atorvastatin for the next four weeks (Group V). Blood samples were collected for serum lipids. Histopathological and histomorphometrical examination of the aorta was done at the end of 12 weeks to assess the atherosclerotic changes and aortic intimamedia thickness respectively. Results showed a significant improvement in the levels of lipid parameters and the aortic intimal thickness in the atorvastatin treated group compared to the atherogenic control group (P < 0.001). This study illustrated the beneficial anti-atherogenic effects of atorvastatin in treating atherosclerosis associated with hyperlipidemia.

Keywords: Atorvastatin, Hyperlipidemia, Atherosclerosis.