Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: Statins, which are 3–hydroxy–3–methyglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG–CoA) reductase inhibitors, are approved for cholesterol reduction and commonly used to treat atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Statins may also be potent immunomodulatory agents and be beneficial in the treatment of autoimmunue diseases. We investigated the effects of oral atorvastatin on experimental autoimmunue uveoretinitis (EAU). Methods: EAU was induced in Lewis rats with S antigen. Atorvastatin was suspended in 0.5% aqueous methylcellulose (MC). Atorvastatin was administered orally in 0.5 ml MC (10mg/kg) once daily for 20 days from the appearance of clinical signs. MC was administered as a control. The clinical scores were evaluated statistically 8 and 14 days after administration. Morphologic and immunohistochemical examinations with confocal microscope were done in all rats. Results: Atorvastatin decreased clinical and histological scores of EAU. Clinical scores in the atrovastatin–treated group were significantly lower than in the MC–treated group on day 8 (3.38 ± 0.75 and 2.00 ± 0.71, respectively, P =0.0011) and day 14 (1.65 ± 0.78 and 0.75 ± 0.60, respectively , P =0.0251). The invasion of T cells and the proliferation of Müller cells were inhibited in the atorvastatin–treated group. Conclusions: Atorvastatin significantly inhibited inflammation in EAU. Statins may be useful for treating intraocular inflammation.
Keywords: uveitis-clinical/animal model • inflammation • drug toxicity/drug effects