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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin drug on the histological structure of the skeletal muscle fiber of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of coenzyme Q10. Background Rosuvastatin has been proven to be effective in improving serum lipid profiles. It decreases the risk for mortality in patients with coronary heart disease. It was reported that some patients treated with various statins have developed symptoms of myopathy. Coenzyme Q10 has a powerful antioxidant activity and affects membrane stability in many tissues, including skeletal muscle. Materials and methods A total of 54 adult male albino rats were used in this study and divided into four groups: group I rats served as negative controls, group II rats served as positive controls, group III rats were treated with rosuvastatin orally for 4 and 12 weeks, and group IV rats were treated with rosuvastatin and Coenzyme Q10 orally for 4 and 12 weeks. The gastrocnemius muscle was dissected and prepared for light and electron microscopic study. Results The light microscopic study of the gastrocnemius muscle of rats treated with a high therapeutic dose of rosuvastatin for 4 and 12 weeks (group III) showed variation in size, mononuclear cellular infiltration, splitting, and focal degeneration of myofibers with increased collagen fiber deposition between muscle fibers. Electron microscopic study showed mitochondrial accumulation between myofibrils and in the subsarcolemmal space, mitochondrial degeneration, and dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum cisterna. Coadministration of coenzyme Q10 with rosuvastatin for 4 and 12 weeks ameliorated most of the above-mentioned histological alterations in the rat skeletal muscles. Conclusion Rosuvastatin drug caused skeletal muscle fiber damage. Coenzyme Q10 leads to the protection of the skeletal muscle fibers when given concomitantly with rosuvastatin.

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