[Effect of atorvastatin on Fas (CD95/Apo-1) expression in normal or ischemic brain].

BACKGROUND: The physiopathology of the brain ischemia includes many events such as important apoptotic mechanisms were Fas protein is expressed. Statins have neuroprotector effects that are independent of their blood lipid reducing actions.

OBJECTIVE: Study of the atorvastatin effect on Fas expression in brain ischemia.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifteen male Sprague Dawley rats were distributed in three groups (n=5), the control group without cerebral ischemia, in the other two experimental groups (1 and 2) a global cerebral ischemia were induced by respiratory arrest (D-tubocurarin). Experimental group 2 was treated with atorvastatin (10 mg/Kg/d, p.o.) during two weeks before the induction of the ischemia. Immunohistochemical study of brain frontal specimens was done by the Avidin-Biotin-Peroxidase method.

RESULTS: Fas was expressed in 38% of cells in non ischemic brain, this expression increased to 63% of cells in ischemic brain samples (P = 0.0003) Fas expression in ischemia was significantly inhibited by atorvastatin in 23% (P = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin decreased Fas expression in ischemic brain. This fact must be taken into account to explain the atorvastatin neuroprotection and suggests the potential use such as primary prevention for ischemic attacks.