Effect of Simvastatin on Sodium Dichromate-Induced Lung Injury in Rats

Chromium is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in the environment. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of simvastatin (SIMV) on sodium dichromate [Cr(VI)]-induced oxidative stress in the rat lung. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats (180 - 220 g weight) were randomly assigned to eight groups (each n = 6). Group one received SIMV 20 mg/kg/day. Group two was given vehicle only. Groups three, five, and seven received intraperitoneal (i.p.) Cr(VI) at doses of 8, 12, and 16 mg/kg body weight, respectively, for eight consecutive days. Groups four, six, and eight were pretreated with 20 mg/kg SIMV 30 minutes prior to administration of Cr(VI) at doses of 8, 12, and 16 mg/kg, respectively, for eight consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, the animals were killed with an overdose of sodium pentobarbital. Lung tissues were excised for measurements of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH), and for histopathological examination. The level of GSH was significantly decreased in the Cr(VI)-treated rats. In contrast, the lung level of MDA was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner in the Cr(VI)-treated rats when compared to the control animals. SIMV had no effect on GSH and MDA levels compared to the control rats, but there were significantly increased GSH concentrations and decreased MDA levels in lungs of rats treated with Cr(VI). The observations suggest that SIMV may have a protective effect against Cr(VI)-induced oxidative stress in the rat lung.