Standardized study of atorvastatin possible osteoarthritis disease-modifying effect in a rat model of osteoarthritis

We studied the osteoarthritis (OA)-modifying effects of atorvastatin in an experimental OA rat model and possible underlining mechanisms. We used 62 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g): 32 rats were used to assess the effects of atorvastatin on surgically induced OA in the knee, and 30 rats were used to assess the potential inflammatory effects of carrageenan-induced paw edema. In the OA model, joint stiffness was assessed by measuring the knee extension angle, and pathological changes in the OA knee joint were determined by histological examination and the measurement of serum biochemical markers, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), and reduced glutathione (GSH). In the carrageenan-induced paw edema model, both paw thickness and pain threshold were assessed in different groups. Atorvastatin significantly improved joint stiffness, pathological changes, a significant mitigation of the higher MMP-13 and IL-1β, and a significant increase of reduced GSH in OA rats. Additionally, atorvastatin significantly improved both paw thickness and pain threshold in animals. Atorvastatin is a potential OA-modifying drug that warrants further clinical investigation.