Abstract
The aim of the present study is to determine the potential toxicity of the therapeutic doses of rosuvastatin in Wistar albino rats. A total of 80 adult Wistar male albino rats were divided randomly into 4 groups. The control group (group 1) received oral gavage administration of normal saline (1 ml /kg/day for 90 consecutive days) while group II and group III received rosuvastatin (1.25 and 2.5 mg/kg/day respectively for 90 consecutive days). Group IV received only the vehicle (carboxymethyl cellulose, 0.25% mg/kg/day) for 90 consecutive days. Liver biopsy was taken form each rat under study for histological and histochemical examination. In comparison with respective control rats, ROSU-treated animals exhibited nuclear abnormalities, dilatation of blood sinusoids and central veins, inflammatory cell infiltration, necrosis, apoptosis, congestion and hydropic degeneration. Also, ROSU exposure increased the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase with no change in the activity of alkaline phosphatase together with deletion in protein and glycogen hepatocytes content. The histological and histochemical alterations produced by ROSU might indicate hepatocytes insulation due to metabolic and structural disturbances caused by this drug. More histomorphological and ultrastructural investigations are needed for clear demonstration of rosuvastatin potential risk.