Simvastatin treatment in surgically induced brain injury in rats

Background HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (Statins) have been shown to reduce blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption and improve neurologic outcome in cerebrovascular disorders. Brain injury due to neurosurgical procedures can lead to post-operative complications such as brain edema and altered neurologic function. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether simvastatin reduces brain edema by preventing BBB disruption and improves neurologic status after surgically-induced brain injury (SBI). Methods Animals were pretreated for seven days with vehicle or simvastatin i.p. daily, after which they underwent SBI. Neurologic evaluation was assessed at 24 hours post-SBI and the animals were sacrificed for brain water content calculation and BBB evaluation. Findings Brain water content was significantly increased in the right frontal lobe in all SBI groups as compared to the left frontal lobe. There was no significant difference in brain water content in the right frontal lobe between simvastatin and vehicle treated groups. Evans blue testing did not show a significant difference in disruption of the BBB between groups. Neurologic scores were not significantly different. Conclusions Simvastatin did not reduce brain water content, protect the BBB, or improve neurologic scores after SBI. © 2008 Springer-Verlag/Wien.