• Protective Role of Simvastatin in Modulating Nitrite Levels and Enhancing Hippocampal Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Bisphenol A-Treated
  • Mohana Peiro,1,* Delaram Eslimi Esfahani,2 Vahidehsadat Abbasnia,3 Adel Salari,4
    1. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
    2. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
    3. Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
    4. Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Biological Science, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, has been implicated in inducing oxidative and nitrosative stress in the brain. These alterations are closely linked to neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. Simvastatin, a statin with antioxidant properties, may offer neuroprotection by modulating key oxidative markers. This study explored the effects of simvastatin on hippocampal nitrite levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in a BPA-induced rat model.
  • Methods: To assess the potential protective effects of simvastatin, an experimental model of BPA-induced neurotoxicity was established using adult male Wistar rats. Animals were exposed to oral BPA (0.4 mg/kg/day) for four weeks, with or without simvastatin supplementation at incremental doses (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg/day). A simvastatin-only group and matched controls were included for comparison. At the study's conclusion, hippocampal tissues were dissected and analyzed for nitrite accumulation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity using standard biochemical assays. Statistical evaluation was carried out with significance set at p < 0.05.
  • Results: BPA exposure led to a significant increase in hippocampal nitrite levels and a marked decrease in SOD activity compared to controls (p < 0.05). Simvastatin administration effectively reversed these effects in a dose-dependent manner, lowering nitrite accumulation and enhancing antioxidant enzyme function (p < 0.05).
  • Conclusion: Simvastatin demonstrates potential as a neuroprotective agent by reducing nitrosative stress and restoring antioxidant enzyme activity in the hippocampus of BPA-exposed rats.
  • Keywords: Bisphenol A, Simvastatin, Nitrite, Superoxide Dismutase, Oxidative Stress