Effect of Spinally Administered Simvastatin on the Formalin-Induced Nociceptive Response in Mice

Abstract Clinical and experimental observations indicated that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitor statins have pleiotropic effects. The present study determined the antinociceptive property of centrally administered simvastatin on the formalin-induced nociception in the mouse. Intrathecal administration of simvastatin at doses of 0.5 – 50 nmol dose-dependently attenuated the second, but not the first, phase of the formalin-induced nociception, which was partially reversed by mevalonate (5 μmol). Intracerebroventricular injection of simvastatin (50 nmol) did not affect the formalin-induced nociception. These results suggest that simvastatin-induced antinociception is mediated by attenuation of the sensitization of spinal nociceptive transmission.