The Possible Role of Nanocurcumin in Rat Model of Statin Induced Myopathy: Histological and Immune Histochemical Study

Background: Statins are the most commonly used drugs for reducing hypercholesterolemia. Unfortunately, statins induced myopathy is a common side effect of statins. Usually represented by fatigue, muscle pain, muscle tenderness, muscle weakness and nocturnal cramping. Curcumin has been proved as anti –inflammatory agent in the inflammatory conditions.

Aim: This research aimed to study the protective effect of nanocurcumin on the histological changes produced by atorvastatin in the skeletal muscles.

Material and Methods: A thirty albino rats (2-3 months old) were used in the present study.

The rats were randomly divided into four groups.

Group I: (five rats) and was used as a control group (control) , they were given 2 ml carboxy methyl cellulous (0.5%)orally through orogastric tube daily for 4 weeks.

Group II: (five rats) They were given nanocurcumin in a dose of 15ml \kg b.w orally through orogastric tube daily for 4weeks.

Group III: (ten rats) They were be given atorvastatin in a dose of 40 ml \kg b.w orally through orogastric tube daily for 4 weeks and divided into two subgroups.

Group III a (animal model): scarified 24h after the last dose.

Group III b (recovery group): scarified 2weeks after the last dose.

Group IV: (ten rats) they were given atorvastatin in a dose of 40 ml \kg b.w orally through orogastric for 4 weeks followed by nanocurcumin in a dose of 15mg \kg b.w orally daily for 4weeks.

Results: Degenerative and apoptotic changes were observed in the skeletal muscles in the atorvastatin treated groups, these changes could be attenuated by administration of nanocurcumin.

Conclusion: Apoptosis is a mechanism of atorvastatin induced myopathy. Nanocurcumin particles could attenuate this process and attenuated the toxicity of the drug. After stoppage of atorvastatin some of histopathological changes could be recovered.