Atorvastatin and Hesperidin: A Study into Their Effect on the Liver

The liver is a vital organ responsible for metabolism, immune support, and detoxification, making it vulnerable to drug-induced injuries that can lead to severe complications. Among commonly prescribed medications, atorvastatin is effective in lowering cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular disease risk but can also cause hepatotoxicity. This study aims to investigate the potential hepatoprotective effects of hesperidin, a flavonoid known for its antioxidant properties, against liver damage caused by atorvastatin. By examining changes in liver enzyme levels, particularly ALT and AST, the research seeks to elucidate hesperidin's role in mitigating statin-induced liver injury. This study utilized thirty healthy male Wistar rats, aged 10 to 12 weeks and weighing approximately 230 grams, housed under standardized conditions at Mustansiriyah University. The rats had unlimited access to tap water and pellet food, with all care methods approved by the university's ethical committee. Atorvastatin and hesperidin were sourced from AstraZeneca (Germany) and a supplier in China, respectively, and dissolved in DMSO for administration. The rats were randomly divided into five groups, with varying treatments over twenty days, including a negative control group receiving saline and groups receiving atorvastatin alone or in combination with different doses of hesperidin. Blood samples were collected for liver enzyme analysis (ALT and AST) following ethical guidelines. Data was analyzed using SPSS software, with significance determined at a P less than 0.05. The results indicated significant differences in liver enzyme levels among the experimental groups (P<0.05). Group 2, which received 80 mg/kg atorvastatin, exhibited markedly elevated ALT and AST levels compared to the negative control group. In contrast, groups receiving hesperidin in combination with atorvastatin showed significant declines in both ALT and AST levels. Notably, Group 3 (80 mg/kg atorvastatin plus 50 mg/kg hesperidin) demonstrated a significant reduction in ALT compared to Group 2, while Group 5 (200 mg/kg hesperidin plus atorvastatin) exhibited the lowest ALT and AST levels overall. These findings suggest that hesperidin effectively mitigates atorvastatin-induced hepatotoxicity. Thus, incorporating hesperidin may offer a protective strategy against liver damage associated with statin therapy, warranting further investigation into its clinical applications.