Protective effect of pravastatin on doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity

The present study was designed to investigate the possible protection of pravastatin against hepatic oxidative stress and dysfunctions induced by doxorubicin in rats.

Statins have beneficial effects on oxidative stress and inflammation.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Control group (received saline orally), Group 2 received pravastatin (20 mg/kg, i.p. for 15 days), Group 3 received single dose doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, i.p.), Group 4 was treated with pravastatin (20 mg/kg, i.p.) daily from 5 days before to 10 days after injection of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, i.p.). Hepatic toxicity was estimated by biochemical parameters and oxidative stress and histopathological studies.

Administration of doxorubicin indicated an increase in ALT, AST, ALP, TG, cholesterol, LDL and total bilirubin levels (p < 0.01). Doxorubicin caused a reduction in HDL and albumin levels (p < 0.01) as well as superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities (p < 0.05) with a concomitant increase in liver malondialdehyde (p < 0.05) and liver damage (p < 0.001). Pravastatin reduced the scale liver injury (p < 0.001) and protected liver functions and other biochemical parameters (p < 0.01). Increase in malondialdehyde level associated with a reduction in antioxidant activities in the doxorubicin group was attenuated by pravastatin treatment (p < 0.05).

Results indicated that pravastatin has a protective effect on the liver against doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in rats (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 34).