Journal of Bioequivalence & Bioavailability

Abstract

Effect of Atorvastatin and Vitamin D on Freund’s Adjuvant-Induced Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rat

Hendawy OM, Ahmed WMS, Abosaif AA, Mahmoud FA

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common chronic systemic, immune-mediated inflammatory disorderthat attacks flexible joints and also may affect many tissues and organs. The present study was designed to assess the effect of atorvastatin and vitamin D on RA and to compare it with that of methotrexate in female Wistar albino rats. Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by subcutaneousinjection of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). Seventy rats were divided into (7) groups, each of 10 rats. Group I was kept as control. Group II was injected with 0.4 ml CFA for 12 days. Group III, IV and V were injected with CFA then treated with methotrexate, atorvastatin and vitamin D, respectively. Group VI and VII were injected with CFA then treated with atorvastatin plus methotrexate; vitamin D plus methotrexate, respectively. Blood samples were collected after four weeks of the last dose of treatmentfor hematological examination. Serum samples were used for detection of inflammatory markers and lipid profile. A significantly increase of total leucocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, serum tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α), interleukine-6 (IL-6), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were observed in arthritis rats with significant decrease in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Treatment with atorvastatin and vitamin D significantly decrease TNF α, IL-6 and modulate the leukocytosis and lipid abnormalities comparable to that exerted by methotrexate. Thecombination therapy was even better than each drug alone and is promising for further clinical trials