Histological and ultrastructural changes in cross-striation muscle cells, under the influence of atorvastatin-reductase HMG-CoA inhibitor.

The investigation was carried out on 15 Wistar rats--males weighing about 200 mg each. The animals were divided into three groups: one control group and two experimental groups, with five animals in each. In experimental group I the animals received emulsion of Atorvastatin in distilled water at the therapeutical dose of 80 mg/kg of body mass, by stomach tube for 6 weeks. In experimental group II the animals received atorvastatin at the maximal dose of 800 mg/kg of body mass. Skeletal muscles of experimental animals (rats) after 6 weeks' administration of atorvastatin in therapeutical and maximal dosages did not show any essential differences in comparison with the control group, when examined under light microscope. Degenerative changes were observed after Atorvastatin administration, when examined under electron microscope. These changes were dependent upon dosage and were directly proportional to dosage rate. Six-week administration of Atorvastatin in the therapeutical dose (80 mg/kg b. m.) produced invagination of the nuclear envelope into the cell nucleus, and within the cytoplasm, numerous vacuoles, some of which included the myelin structures, were evident. Atorvastatin administration in maximal dosage (800 mg/kg) under electron microscope examination, showed the following differences: the appearance of numerous vacuoles in the perinuclear spaces, and between myofibrils; dilation of mitochondria; disintegration of sacomers; fibrinosis within the intercellular spaces.