Comparative effect of high dose verses low dose lovastatin on serum lipid parameters of rats treated with atherogenic diet

Atherosclerotic diseases presently showing alarming trend in developing countries and has posed to be of major public health importance. Unhealthy diet practice and life style aggravates the condition. Studies show that Lipid lowering agents at different doses can alter the serum lipid profile favourably and can significantly reduce the complications. Present study aims to evaluate the role of lovastatin, a lipid lowering agent at two different doses on serum lipid profile of rats fed on Atherogenic diet. Materials and Methods: 36 male albino rats were divided in to six groups of six rats each. Group 1,2 and 3 received standard diet and 4,5 and 6 received Atherogenic diet. Group 1 & 3 served as control while other two groups received lovastatin at 2mg and 4 mg per kg respectively on both diet groups. Serum lipd profile was estimated at start of the experiment, end of six and twelve weeks by using kits. Result: Both the doses of lovastatin was capable of reducing serum LDL and Total cholesterol to a significant extent compared to their control. However 4mg dose is more effective than low dose (2mg). The magnitude of this beneficial effect is not translated into serum triglyceride. However Serum HDL cholesterol level showed increasing trend in both diet treatment groups. Conclusion: Both the doses of lovastatin is capable of preventing diet induced dyslipidemia in rats. Thus lower dose can be more preferable for primary and higher dose for secondary prevention of dyslipidemia.