Effect of Intracerebroventricular Injection (ICV) of Simvastatin on Cerebellum and CA1 Region of the Hippocampus

Introduction: Simvastatin is a lipophilic statin. Lipophilic statins can cross the blood-brain barrier. The present study investigates the effect of simvastatin on cerebellum and region CA1 neurons of hippocampal in adult male rats without brain injury by the ICV method. Method: In this experimental study, 26 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were randomly divided into six groups (n=6) including: control ICV (without injection), Shm (3μl ICV distilled water), simvastatin 28.5 nmol ICV, simvastatin 28.5 nmol ICV + vitamin D 5 µg/kg. Simvastatin treatment was performed for seven days. After the treatment period, Histological and biochemical studies were performed. Findings: Based on the results, the groups receiving simvastatin with a concentration 28.5 nmol did not have a significant difference in the percentage of degenerative cerebellar neurons compared to the control group (P> 0.05), but a significant percentage of degenerated cells in the neurons of the hippocampal region CA1 compared to the control group (P <0.05). Was observed with the control group. No significant effect was observed on the level of MDA and FRAP in any of the groups compared to the control group (P> 0.05). Conclusion: The present study results showed a negative effect of simvastatin on hippocampal pyramidal neurons, but this negative effect was not observed on Russian Purkinje cerebellar neurons.