Early phases of sepsis: effects of simvastatin on mitochondrial enzyme activities in kidney tissue in rats

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and serious complication of sepsis. Moreover, there is strong evidence that AKI in patients with severe sepsis is associated with a higher mortality rate. The devastating effects of Gram-negative sepsis are largely based on the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), also known as endotoxin. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested to contribute to the development of organ dysfunction and failure in sepsis. The mitochondrial electron transport chain consists of four complexes (CI to CIV) and its function can be assessed with different approaches. Statins, such as simvastatin and atorvastatin, are hypocholesterolemic drugs that possess pleiotropic effects, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, that are either dependent on or independent of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) inhibition. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that simvastatin has an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with predialytic chronic kidney disease, and may play an important role in counteracting the mechanisms involved in pathogenesis of inflammation. We aimed to investigate the effects of prior simvastatin on mitochondrial enzyme activities in kidney tissue of the early phase of sepsis.