EJMS

Abstract

Introduction: Simvastatin is a drug that although gaining support as a first-line hypolipidemic drug many cases of fatal pulmonary complications involving inflammation and fibrosis were reported. Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the whether the antioxidant effect of acai berry can ameliorate the long-term hazards of simvastatin administration on the histological structure of male albino rat alveolar cells. Material and methods: This study was carried out on 30 adult male albino rats, which were divided into three groups: group I, which was considered as control; group II (simvastatin treated group), which received simvastatin orally in a daily dose of 1.44 mg for 12 weeks; group III (protected group), which received acai berry capsules daily simultaneously with simvastatin for 12 weeks. At the time of sacrifice, the lungs were dissected and tissue samples were processed for both light and electron microscopic studies. Results: Administration of simvastatin alone showed sever alteration in the lung architecture in the form of collapsed alveoli, evident proliferation and vacuolation of pneumocytes type II and thickening of inter alveolar septa. Cellular infiltration, increased number of macrophages and vascular congestion were also observed. Co-administration of simvastatin with Acai berry showed a considerable degree of preservation of the pulmonary alveolar architecture. Occasionally some alveoli were lined by vacuolated pneumocytes type II with moderately thickened inter alveolar septa. Conclusion: From this study it could be concluded that prolonged administration of simvastatin in rats can induce severe lung damage. Nevertheless, concomitant administration of the antioxidant Acai berry effectively protected the lung tissue.