The Effects of Long Term Usage of Atorvastatin on the Serum Lipid Profile, Liver Enzymes, and Renal Factors in German Shepherd Dogs

Objective: Atorvastatin is a potent synthetic competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway for hepatic cholesterol synthesis. Atorvastatin are effective cholesterol-lowering drugs that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease events. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of long term usage of atorvastatin on the serum lipid profile, renal factors, and liver enzymes in German Shepherd dogs.Material and Methods: This study was performed on 5 adult vaccinated German Shepherd dogs during a 18 months period. Dogs were provided from the Animal Laboratory of Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran. The animals were supplied with pellet food and tap water ad libitum. 5 cc Blood sample and 5 cc urine sample were taken at day 0. Then the animals were received 80 mg/case atorvastatin daily for 18 months. Blood and urine samples were taken each month and the levels of biomarkers were measured. Result: On day 0, TG, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, HDL, and liver enzymes like AST, ALT, and CK, and renal factors namely BUN, and Creatinin were normal. After one month, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and HDL were decreased while ALT and AST were increased significantly (P 0.002). After three months CK were increased severely (P 0.001) but myoglobinuria was not seen. BUN, and Creatinin changes were not significant (P 0.2).Conclusion: Statins are a well-tolerated studied group of drugs. Atorvastatin is used to treat high cholesterol, and to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, or other heart complications. Atorvastatin can cause myopathy and muscle pain, liver and renal damages, so healthy of the animal and liver enzymes and kidney performance are important during the statins consumption.,