Evaluating the neuroprotective effects of pitavastatin in reperfusion injuries in the focal and transient model of cerebral ischemia in rat

Pitavastatin is in the statins class and is mainly used for the treatment of dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. According to the anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and antiplatelet effects of pitavastatin, in the present study, the protective effects were investigated against the reperfusion injuries and edema in the animal model of local and transient cerebral ischemia.

21 rats were assigned into three groups; sham, control ischemic, and treated ischemic groups. Brain ischemia/reperfusion was induced by 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24-hour reperfusion. Rats received pitavastatin intraperitoneally at a dose of 4 mg/kg immediately after termination of MCAO. Neurological deficit score (NDS), infarct volume, and brain swelling, as an index of edema, were assessed 24 hours after termination of MCAO.

MCAO induced neurological dysfunction (3.28±0.28) and brain infarction in the control ischemic group (299±21 mm3) accompanied by brain swelling (11.83±2.61 %). Administration of pitavastatin in the treated ischemic rats significantly reduced neurological dysfunction (1.57±0.20), brain infarction (117±28 mm3), and brain swelling (4.75±0.80 %). Also, pitavastatin considerably decreased the mortality of rats in the treated ischemic group.

The findings of the present study indicated that pitavastatin, as a potent neuroprotective agent, effectively reduces reperfusion-induced brain injuries and brain edema independently of cholesterol-lowering effects in the experimental model of ischemic stroke.