Effect of atorvastatin treatment on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

In the present study, chronic treatment of atorvastatin was evaluated on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200 +/- 25 g) were randomized into the following four groups: (1) control group, (2) isoproterenol-treated group, (3) atorvastatin-treated group, and (4) isoproterenol- and atorvastatin-treated group. Various serum and tissue parameters as well as histopathological studies were carried out in all groups. Isoproterenol administration produced severe myocardial damage and oxidative stress in rats. Atorvastatin treatment reduced myocardial infarction which has been reflected by improvement in serum parameters, ATPase activities and histopathological lesions. However, it could not reduce oxidative stress and hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol. Hence, it can be concluded that atorvastatin may protect myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol independent of its antioxidant properties.