Biochemical changes and morphological alterations of liver and kidney in hamsters after administration of the HMG-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, simvastatin: prevention and reversibility by mevalonate.

The present study analyses the effects of simvastatin, a specific inhibitor of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA reductase) in male Syrian hamsters fed a standard diet or a diet supplemented with 0.12% cholesterol and 20% coconut oil. In hamsters fed the standard diet, gastric administration of simvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) during 12 days was found to be lethal and to have hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects.