Nitridergic Modulation of the Antinociceptive Activity of Rosuvastatin in Mice

Abstract

Statins, 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase enzyme inhibitors, are lipid-lowering drugs, often used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases (hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis). It has been shown that statins have antiinflammatory effects independent of their lipid-lowering effects and these anti-inflammatory effects inhibit the inflammation and pain process . This study evaluated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of rosuvastatin using the acetic acid writhing, the formalin hind paw, the orofacial formalin and the hot plate tests. The following experimental group were used: control, acute (1 day) and chronic (3 days) after oral gavage with rosuvastatin (3, 10, 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg). Rosuvastatin produced a dose-dependent antinociception, with different potency, in all the tests. Additionally, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors ( Abbreviations and aminoguanidine) were used to assess the nitric oxide participation on this induced rosuvastatin antinociception. The data demonstrated the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of rosuvastatin in algesiometer models of tonic or phasic pain. These activities seem to be induced by modulation of iNOS expression, a result that may be relevant in the pharmacological treatment of human pain where rosuvastatin and nitric oxide synthase inhibitors must be used.