Effect of simvastatin on sensorial, motor, and morphological parameters in sciatic nerve crush induced-neuropathic pain in rats

AbstractThe present study compares the effects of a low and high doses of simvastatin in a model of peripheral neuropathy by evaluating sensorial, motor, and morphological parameters. First, male Wistar rats were orally treated with vehicle (saline, 1  mL/kg), simvastatin (2 and 80 mg/kg) or morphine (2 mg/kg, s.c.), 1 h before 2.5% formalin injection. Neuropathic pain was induced by crushing the sciatic nerve, and mechanical and cold allodynia, nerve function, histology, MPO and NAG concentrations, as well as mevalonate induced-nociception w ere evaluated. Animals were orally treated with vehicle, simvastatin, or gabapentin (30 mg/kg) for 18 days. Simvastatin (2 and 80 mg/kg) reduced the inflammatory pain induced by formalin, but failed to decrease the paw edema. Mechanical allodynia was reduced by the simvastatin (2 mg/kg) until th e 12th day after injury and until the 18th day by gabapentin. However, both simvastatin and gabapentin treatments failed in attenuated cold allodynia or improved motor function. Interestingly, both doses of simvastatin showed a neuroprotective effect and inhibited MPO activity without altering kid ney and hepatic parameters. Additionally, only the higher dose of simvastatin reduced the cholesterol levels and the nociception induced by mevalonate. Our results reinforce the antinociceptive, antiallodynic, and anti-inflammatory effects of oral simvastatin administration, which can strongly contr ibute to the sciatic nerve morphology preser...
Source: Inflammopharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research