Comparative evaluation between chitosan and atorvastatin on serum lipid profile changes in hyperlipidemic cats

The purpose of the present survey was to determine the effects of the chitosan and atorvastatin on serum lipid profile changes and the influence of time on treatment process in cats. For the management of cholesterol induced hyperlipidemia, twentyone healthy cats were randomly divided into three equal groups. Group A (control) included seven cats that were fed with cholesterol powder (4 g/kg for 10 days). Group B was similar to group A, but in addition, atorvastatin (5 mg/kg) was administered for 45 days after induced hyperlipidemia. Group C was similar to group B, but chitosan (3 g/cat) was administered instead of atorvastatin. Blood sles were collected four times on days 0, 10, 40 and 55 after challenge. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDLC and LDLC levels were measured using standard commercial kits. Atorvastatin (P 0.001) and chitosan (P 0.01) showed more hypolipidemic activity in lowering triglycerides compared with group A. In a comparison between two drugs and their effects on triglyceride, atorvastatin showed a significant difference with chitosan (P 0.01). Atorvastatin (P 0.01) and chitosan (P 0.05) showed more activity in lowering cholesterol than the control group. The treated groups (B and C) had good results in lowering LDLC, compared with group A, on day 45 (P 0.001). A significant difference was seen only between groups A and B and on day 45 in increase of HDLC (P 0.01). In conclusion, it was shown that although both drugs had hypolipidemic activity in cats, atorvastatin was more effective than chitosan. Further experimentation will be needed to elucidate the possible biochemical mechanism of the drugs.