Objective: 

Statins exert pleiotropic actions in ex vivo and in vitro studies, having antioxidative and antiinflammatory effects. These are important in preventing liver injury following biliary obstruction. We aimed to evaluate the effects of rosuvastatin and chitosan, a natural compound, on liver damage caused by bile duct ligation in rats.

Methods: 

We divided 50 female Wistar rats into these groups: 1 (SHAM) rats underwent laparotomy, 2 (BDL) only bile duct ligation, 3 (RO-5 mg) rosuvastatin 5 mg p.o. after BDL, 4(RO-10 mg) rosuvastatin 5 mg p.o. and group 5 (CS) - chitosan p.o. (daily for for 6 days). The following parameters were measured: malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonylated protein (CP), glutathione, total SH groupings, nitric oxide, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). A histopathological examination was performed (Knodell Histological Activity Index and the number of biliary canals in five portal sites for each section were noted).

Results: 

The levels of MDA in the liver were significantly lower in the CS group compared to the BDL group (p<0.05). Rosuvastatin increased MDA, CP levels and hepatocytolysis as compared to the control group. The levels of AST and ALT were higher in the groups that received the statin compared to the BDL group (p<0.05). The histological findings were significantly improved by chitosan.

Conclusions: 

We confirmed that bile duct ligation and rosuvastatin induced severe oxidative stress damage only six days after the procedure. Chitosan proved very efficient in protecting the hepatic cells against oxidative stress. The histological findings in the CS group were very promising.