The possible ameliorating effect of platelet-rich plasma on simvastatin induced skeletal myopathy in adult male albino rats. A histological study.

Abstract

Introduction: Simvastatin becomes one of the most administered medications in cases of hyperlipidemia. Simvastatin is strongly associated with skeletal myopathy when compared to other statins. Aim of the work: Study the probable ameliorative impact of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on simvastatin-induced myopathy in adult albino rats. Materials and methods: Experimental rats were allocated into 4 groups each consisted of 10 rats: Control group; which took distilled water via a gastric tube for 4 weeks, simvastatin-treated group; treated with simvastatin (7.2 mg/kg/day) orally for 4 weeks, simvastatin and PRP treated group; took simvastatin (7.2 mg/kg/day) orally for 4 weeks and then injected once by 0.5 ml of PRP in the right gastrocnemius muscle, and recovery group; took simvastatin (7.2 mg /kg/day) orally for 4 weeks and rats were left for 4 weeks without interference. Serum creatine kinase (CK-NAC) level was assessed. Light microscopic study, ultrastructural study, and morphometric analysis were done to demonstrate the structural changes. Results: Simvastatin group revealed obvious structural changes to the skeletal muscle fibers that showed splitting, interruption, loss of the eosinophilic striated pattern. Abnormal orientation of the nuclei along with inflammatory changes, excessive collagen fibers deposition, and faint PAS reaction. Myofibrils depicted degenerated interrupted myofilaments with areas of myofibrils loss. The Z-lines showed discontinuous and corrugated pattern while mitochondria revealed bizarre shapes and transverse orientation. The biochemical analysis showed significantly elevated serum CK-NAC level. In simvastatin and PRP treated group marked improvement was demonstrated in the architecture of skeletal muscle fibers. Minimal collagen fibers deposition with strong PAS reaction were noticed along with significant drop in serum level of CK-NAC. Signs of skeletal muscle atrophy were revealed in the recovery group. Muscle fibers revealed interruption, loss of striations with widening of endomysium and perimysium. Conclusion: PRP exerted a strong therapeutic effect on simvastatin induced myopathy in rats.