The effect of simvastatin on gene expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 mRNA in rat hepatic tissues

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the effect of simvastatin on gene expression of LDLR, SREBPs, and SCD1 in rat hepatic tissues fed with high-fat diets (HFD) and its association with some biochemical parameters. Thirty-two male Wister albino rats were divided into four equal groups (three test and one control groups). The biochemical parameters were determined by using spectrophotometer techniques and the Elisa method. Low-density lipoprotein receptor, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, stearoyl-CoA desaturase1, Beta-actin were analysed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. At the end of study, the livers of the rats were separated and changes of hepatic tissue were determined. LDLR, SREBP2, and SCD1 expression increased significantly when compared G1 versus G4 and G2 versus G4. The expression of LDLR, SREBP2, and SCD1 also increased significantly when compared G2 versus G3, G1versus G3 and G1 versus G3 and G2 versus G3. The serum level of cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, LDL, and HDL increased significantly when compared G1 versus G3. LDL showed significantly decreased when compared G1 versus G2. Cholesterol, glucose and HDL and triglyceride levels were increased significantly when compared G1 versus G4 and G2. Treatment of rats with HFD and simvastatin 20 mg/kg, triglyceride and LDL were almost the same as a control group and LDLR expression increased 98% in liver tissue. Gene expressions may be up-regulated in liver tissue and they showed different effects on biochemical parameters.

Keywords:

• Simvastatin
• low-density lipoprotein receptor
• sterol regulatory element-binding proteins
• stearoyl-CoA desaturase

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the Research Deputy of Golestan University of Medical Sciences for financial support. This research project was derived from an MSc thesis in Clinical Biochemistry. The corresponding author wishes to thank Mr Abbas Nejadebrahimi Kaldehi for his sincere help.

Ethical approval

The Ethical Committee of Research Deputy of Golestan University of Medical Sciences has approved the study (IR.GOUMS.REC.1396.41).

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work has been supported by the Research Deputy of the Golestan University of Medical Science.