Protective Effects of Chitosan and Rosuvastatin on Renal Structure and Lipid Metabolism in Rabbits Fed a High-Fat Diet

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> This study compared the effects of rosuvastatin and chitosan on the kidneys of rabbits fed a high-fat diet. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> In total, 28 New Zealand White rabbits (<i>Oryctolagus cuniculus</i>) were randomly divided into four groups of 7 rabbits: a control group (CG) fed a regular diet; a hyperlipidic group (HG) fed the regular diet and 20 mL of egg yolk daily; and the third (RG) and fourth (ChiG) groups fed the HG diet plus rosuvastatin and chitosan, respectively. Cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, creatinine, and urea levels were analyzed. After kidney excision, glomerular height and length were analyzed and stereological analysis was conducted. The Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn multiple comparison tests were used for statistical analysis, and a p value of <0.05 was considered significant. <i>Results:</i> The chicken egg yolk diet was successful in inducing a hypercholesterolemic state. Total cholesterol levels showed a significant reduction in rabbits treated with rosuvastatin, and chitosan and rosuvastatin significantly reduced triglyceride, VLDL, creatinine, and glucose levels. The size of the glomerulus was increased significantly in the HG rabbits. Stereological analysis showed a mean glomerular volumetric density of 8.27 ± 3.27, 4.14 ± 2.87, 10.03 ± 3.22, and 6.18 ± 3.50 vV% for CG, HG, RG, and ChiG, respectively. <i>Conclusions:</i> Chitosan reduced triglyceride, VLDL, creatinine, and glucose levels but was less effective than rosuvastatin. Kidney morphology was slightly altered in the animals fed a high-fat diet, and these changes were ameliorated by treatment with chitosan or rosuvastatin.