Atorvastatin, a potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, is not antipyretic in rats

1. We investigated whether atorvastatin, a plasma cholesterol lowering and anti-inflammatory drug, attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced fever in rats.

2. Sprague–Dawley rats, implanted with abdominal temperature-sensitive telemeters, were administered either lipopolysaccharide and placebo (n=7), lipopolysaccharide and atorvastatin (n=6), saline and placebo (n=8), or saline and atorvastatin (n=7).

3. Atorvastatin (100 mg kg⁻¹) was administered orally, as a suspension in a flavoured gelatine cube (placebo cubes contained no drug), 90 min before intraperitoneal injection of pyrogen (Salmonella typhosa lipopolysaccharide, 75 μg kg⁻¹) or sterile saline.

4. Atorvastatin did not disrupt normal thermoregulation. Atorvastatin also did not attenuate lipopolysaccharide-induced changes in body temperature and cage activity.

Keywords: Fever; Activity; Statins; Hydroxy-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase; Gelatine cube