Comparison of simvastatin and nicotinic acid administration in alcohol-treated Wistar rats.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies of ours have shown that simvastatin (S) and nicotinic acid (NA) lower the alcohol (Alc)-induced increase of triglycerides. The aim of this study was to evaluate which drug is more effective and safe in decreasing Alc-induced hypertriglyceridaemia in Wistar rats.


METHODS
Male Wistar rats were randomised into 6 groups, which were fed with: (1) olive oil (Oil group, n=10); (2) Oil + Alc, (Alc group, n=10); (3) S solution in Oil (65 microg/100g body weight), (S group, n=10); (4) NA solution in Oil (8.5 mg/100g body weight), (NA group, n=8); (5) S solution in Oil + AIc (S+Alc group, n=10); and (6) NA solution in Oil + Alc (NA+Alc group, n=9). Another 13 male Wistar rats were fed only a standard laboratory diet (control group). After 8 weeks, blood samples were drawn and the livers were removed. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured. Liver histopathology was also assessed.


RESULTS
Liver histopathology was similar in all groups and within the normal range. The TG plasma concentration in the Alc group was higher than in the control rats (p < 0.001) or any other groups (Oil, p < 0.001, or S, p < 0.001, or NA, p = 0.003). The Oil, S+Alc, NA+Alc and control groups had similar TG levels, but these were significantly lower compared to the Alc group (p < 0.001). AST plasma concentration was higher in the Alc group compared to controls (p < 0.001), Oil (p < 0.001), S (p < 0.001) and NA (p < 0.001) groups, while the AST concentration in the S+Alc and Na+Alc groups was lower than in the Alc group (p = 0.042, p < 0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
NA and S, two drugs of different classes, seem to decrease Alc-induced secondary hypertriglyceridaemia to the same extent. Moreover, NA displays a better alleviation of Alc-induced AST raises compared to S, although it enhances small increases in AP and ALT levels.
Kolovou
Genovefa D
GD
1st Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Centre, Athens, Greece.
Salpea
Klelia D
KD
Mihas
Constantinos
C
Malakos
Ioannis
I
Kafaltis
Nikolaos
N
Bilianou
Helen G
HG
Adamopoulou
Evdokia N
EN
Mykoniatis
Michael
M
Cokkinos
Dennis V
DV
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D009525:Niacin; D019821:Simvastatin