The Neuroprotective Effect of Atorvastatin on Apoptosis of Hippocampus Following Transient Global Ischemia/ Reperfusion

Background: Hippocampus CA1 cells are highly sensitive to ischemia. Because of anti-oxidative property, atorvastatin by eliminating free radicals and other constituent due to cell lesions prevents damages or death of intact cells. The aim of this study is to determine neuroprotective effect of atorvastatin on apoptosis of hippocampus CA1 cells in male rats. Materials and Methods: In an experimental study 24 male rats –Wistar adult race- were divided into four groups: Ischemic, vehicle, treatment and control. In order to make an ischemic- reperfusion model, common carotid artery was clamped bilaterally for 20 minutes. In treatment group, the first dose of Atorvastatin (10mg/kg) was injected six hours after ischemic- reperfusion and 24, 48 and 72 later intraperitoneally. Four days after ischemic- reperfusion tissue section were obtained and stained using Nissl method. Then intact healthy pyramidal CA1 hippocampus cells were counted. TUKEY and One Way ANOVA were used for analyzing the obtained results. Results: No significant difference was found in numbers of healthy intake pyramidal and apoptotic cells of CA1 hippocampus region between treatment group (10mg/kg Atorvastatin) and controls, whereas a significant reduction of these cells was observed in ischemia and vehicle groups in comparison to controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: Using 10mg/kg atorvastatin following cerebral ischemia- reperfusion has a protective effect on pyramidal cells of CA1 region in hippocampus in male rats leading to reduction of degeneration and apoptosis.