Effects of statins on skeletal muscle contractile properties in rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term effects of statins on rat skeletal muscle with the use of electrophysiological methods. A total of 28 adult male Wistar albino rats were given atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and pravastatin (40 mg/kg each) intragastrically for four weeks. At the end of the study, the gastrocnemius muscle was isolated from the surrounding tissues under deep anaesthesia. It was tied with silk thread in the Achilles tendon area and then connected to an isometric force transducer. The contractile properties of the gastrocnemius muscle were assessed. Serum levels of total cholesterol and creatine kinase (CK) were measured. The muscle tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin eosin and histopathologically evaluated under light microscope. The findings revealed that cholesterol levels were significantly lower in all groups except the control group, whereas CK levels were higher in the statin groups than the control group. All three statins decreased the contractile strength and caused fatigue quickly in the gastrocnemius muscle. Histopathological changes in gastrocnemius muscle were more related to early moderate necrosis in rats that were received statins. This study demonstrates that all three statins decrease the ability of skeletal muscle to generate force and its resistance to fatigue in rats.

Keywords

• creatine kinase
• myopathy
• rat
• skeletal muscle contractility
• statin