Effects of atorvastatin on development of peritoneal fibrosis in rats on peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal sclerosis is one of the important complications of long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). In this study, efficacy of atorvastatin on peritoneal histology and functions in non-uremic rats on PD was tested.

Twenty-two non-uremic Wistar albino rats were randomized into three groups: Sham (intraperitoneal saline), peritoneal dialysis (PD, intraperitoneal 3.86% dextrose containing PD solution), and treatment (TX, intraperitoneal 3.86% dextrose containing PD solution plus atorvastatin added into drinking water). At the end of a 4-week period, 1 h peritoneal equilibration test was performed. Serum lipids and certain cytokines, mediators, markers, and antioxidant enzyme activities in serum and dialysate were studied. Peritoneal thickness was measured and peritoneal inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular proliferation were scored in histological sections.

In histological examinations, inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular proliferation were significantly more frequent in PD group than Sham group and it seemed to decrease significantly when atorvastatin was used in conjunction with PD. Additionally, peritoneum was significantly thicker in PD group when compared to that of Sham and TX groups. Serum parameters did not significantly differ between groups. On the other hand, dialysate glutathione reductase (GR) activity and TGF-β were significantly lower in TX group than that of the PD group, whereas dialysate IL-6 level was higher in TX group.

In our study, atorvastatin use appeared to diminish structural changes in peritoneum. Decreased expression of TGF-β in dialysate may be one of the possible underlying mechanisms.