Title : Effect of atorvastatin on microbiota of Rattus norvegicus Sprague Dawley
Abstract:
Atorvastatin is widely used in the adult population with dyslipidemia disorders. Recently, it was known that statins have antibacterial activity. For this reason, the effect of atorvastatin on the gut (gut microbiota habitat) was studied. An in vivo experimental study was carried out with a control group and one with atorvastatin for six months, in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. All specimens received the same amount and the same type of food per cage. Rectal swabs were taken from all rats at baseline and every month until the sixth month. The swabs were seeded on EMB agar, to isolate Escherichia coli strains, and on BHI agar, supplemented with gentamicin and 6.5% NaCl, to isolate Enterococcus spp. At the sixth month of the study, the rats were sacrificed to obtain the gut, for their preparation in epoxy resin blocks and subsequent histological study under an optical microscope. The percentage of assimilation was made by weighing the food and fecal matter of the rats. Then, all the samples were dried and incinerated. The results were collected in an Excel document. Atorvastatin administered for six months to Sprague Dawley rats caused structural damage to the gut (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon), ranging from moderate to severe. Lymphocytic infiltrates demonstrated gut chronic inflammatory processes. Regarding the feces of the rats, those from the controls were more voluminous (91.21 mg) than those of the rats treated with atorvastatin (33.45 mg). The percentage of assimilation varied in control rats (87%) with respect to those that were under treatment with atorvastatin (54%). In atorvastatin-treated rats, E. coli growth was observed in all four quadrants of the plate for the first month, but to a lesser extent than in control rats. From the second month of treatment, the growth dropped to two quadrants and the size of the colonies was reduced. In rats treated with atorvastatin, a decrease in the size of Enterococcus colonies was seen and growth gradually decreased over the months. Conclusion: Prolonged use of atorvastatin created intestinal dysbiosis by destroying the histological structure of the intestine, habitat of the intestinal microbiota.
Audience take-away:
- To avoid the use of statins if they have hyperlipidemic disorders.
- Gut microbiota impact health of people. Disbiosis can produce behavioral disorders. Right now, a lot of people are procrastinating alot, this is due to microbiota disbiosis. If they regulate microbiota by wellness nourishing, they can improve the performance at work.
- Of course. People must be conscious about atorvastatin damage use.
- Yes, it does. Unhealthy people couldn’t work as well as they could if they are healthy.
- We could be more scientist around the world wanting to know more about the impact of statins on gut microbiota.
- I have seen with concern that people with neuronal degenerative diseases consume statins for long periods; I firmly believe that eliminating this medication will decrease the morbidity of these diseases, with a more integrative management of the microbiota and the eating habits of patients.
