title: Effects of statins on the recovery of olfactory function in a 3-methylindole-induced anosmia mouse model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite the importance of olfactory function, no effective medications have been identified to treat olfactory disorders. This study was performed to evaluate the functional recovery of olfaction damaged by 3-methylindole (3MI) in a mouse model with hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme  A reductase inhibitors (statins).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized placebo-controlled trial, 24 healthy female BALB/c mice (aged 9-10 weeks and weighing 18-20 g each) were randomly allocated to statin-treated or control groups. Olfactory loss was induced by i.p. injections  of 3MI. Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) or normal saline was then administered per os with a gastric tube for 3 weeks. The effects of treatment were evaluated by food-finding tests and Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups showed complete losses of olfactory function  1 week after 3MI injection. Three weeks after 3MI injection, 9 of the 12 mice in the statin-treated group (75%) passed a food-finding test, in which they were able to find the food within 3 minutes, at least two times out of three trials. However, only two mice in the control group (16.6%)  passed the food-finding test, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.004; chi-square test). The expression level of the olfactory marker protein was also elevated in the statin-treated group (p = 0.030; Wilcoxon rank sum test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statins are  associated with recovery of olfaction after 3MI injection in a mouse model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo Yeol
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joon Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hun-Jong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Dhong
authors.forename: Ki Ryung
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung-Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Soo-Chan
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Jeong Min
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Yong Gi
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Seong Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Sang Duk
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012862:Skatole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D012862:Skatole; D000069059:Atorvastatin