Myopathy Induced by HMG–CoA Reductase Inhibitors in Rabbits: A Pathological, Electrophysiological, and Biochemical Study☆

摘要: A combination of electrophysiological, pathological, and biochemical studies were performed in myopathy induced by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. Simvastatin (a lipophilic inhibitor) or pravastatin hydrophilic administered gavage to rabbits. In Group I (simvastatin-treated group, 50 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), four rabbits showed muscle necrosis high serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, all six electrical myotonia. II (pravastatin-treated 100 no rabbit either condition. III 200 3 weeks plus 300 one CK level two The pathological findings fiber degeneration with increased acid phosphatase activity light microscopy, autophagic vacuoles mitochondrial swelling, disruption hypercontraction myofibrils electron microscopy. Ubiquinone content decreased skeletal 22 36% I, 18 52% II, 49 72% III. However, enzyme activities respiratory chain normal groups. These results indicate that was not a secondary dysfunction respiration due low ubiquinone levels.