Nitridergic Modulation of the Antinociceptive Activity of Rosuvastatin in Mice

Viviana Noriega, Fernando Sierralta, Juan Carlos Prieto, Pilar Zanetta, Hugo F. Miranda

Cardiovascular Department, Clinical Hospital, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy School, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile;.
Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy School, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile; Cardiovascular Department, Clinical Hospital, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile;.
Faculty of Odontology, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile; 4Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile..
Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Faculty of Medicine, Medical School, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile..

DOI: 10.4236/pp.2014.51010                

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 (Abbreviationsand 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.

Keywords

Antinociception; Anti-Inflammation; Algesiometer Assays; Rosuvastatin; L-NAME; Aminoguanidine

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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