Pitavastatin is a potent anti-inflammatory agent in the rat paw model of acute inflammation

ABSTRACT

Statins are used extensively as anti-hyperlipidemic agents. In addition to curtailing cholesterol synthesis they have been found to have multiple actions unrelated to cholesterol lowering" the pleiotropic effects," which includes inhibition of inflammation. We aimed at investigating the effect of pitavastatin a 3[rd] generation statin, in suppressing acute inflammation in rat paw edema model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups [n=8] Control, indomethacin and pitavastatin [0.2mg/kg, 0.4mg/kg, 0.8mg/kg] treated. 1hour following treatment, inflammation was induced by sub-planter injection of egg albumin into the hind paw. Anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by measurement of edema formation every half hour for three hours, assessment of polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMNL] infiltration and measurement of tissue damage in skin biopsies. Ascending doses of pitavastatin were found to attenuate these parameters. The lowest dose of pitavastatin [0.2mg/kg] was found to significantly reduce edema volume, PMNL infiltration and tissue damage. The efficacy of the smallest dose was found comparable to indomethacin