[Animal modeling] Protective effect of atorvastatin on joint injury in ApoE -/- mice

  Objective To observe the protective effect of atorvastatin on joint injury in ApoE -/- mice.

  Methods Forty ApoE -/- mice were randomly divided into model group and drug group. The mice were fed with high-fat diet. The drug group was given atorvastatin 10 mg/(kg · d) by gavage, and the model group was given the same amount of normal saline by gavage. 20 C57BL/6J mice in the control group were fed with common diet. Blood lipid changes were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer, and serum L-6 and TNF were detected by ELISA- α The histological changes of knee joint were observed by HE staining, safranine O-fixation green staining, and the ultrastructure of chondrocytes was observed by transmission electron microscopy.

  Results Compared with the model group, the levels of serum TC, TG and LDL-C in the atorvastatin intervention group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the levels of HDL-C were increased (P<0.01), and the levels of serum inflammatory factors I Ⅱ L-6 and TNF- α It was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the damage of ultrastructure of chondrocytes was significantly improved, the infiltration of cells in knee synovitis was reduced, the damage of cartilage tissue structure and the degree of ossification were significantly reduced, and the disease process was significantly delayed.

  Conclusion Atorvastatin can protect the joint injury of ApoE -/- mice by regulating blood lipid and down regulating inflammatory factors.