Comparison of simvastatin and nicotinic acid administration in alcohol-treated Wistar rats.

Introduction: 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.