Abstract:

Objective  To investigate the effect of Simvastatin on expression of GluR2 in the hippocampus of rats.  Methods  40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the sham-operation group, the glutamate-induced injury group,the simvastatin 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg dose groups. Normal saline or Simvastatin solution were used for intra-gastric administration for 10 continuous days. Under an anesthesia state, rats in the sham-operation group were given 4μL normal saline and those from other three groups were given 4μL glutamate solution (1mg/kg) through the lateral ventricle. The mRNA and protein expressions of GluR2 were determined 2h after injection with glutamate solution by RT-PCR or immuno chemistry.  Result  Compared with rats in the sham-operation group, both mRNA andprotein expressions of GluR2 were decreased in the hippocampus of those in the glutamate-induced injury group (P＜0.01). Simvastatin (both 10mg/kg and 20mg/kg) can significantly decrease the reduction of GluR2 induced by injection of glutamate solution (P＜0.05, P＜0.01, respectively).  Conclusion  Simvastatin can reduce or prevent glutamate-induced hippocampus injury, which may be mediated by enhancing expression of GluR2.

Key words: Simvastatin; Glutamate; Receptor; Hippocampus; Rats, Wistar