Alterations in zebrafish development induced by simvastatin: Comprehensive morphological and physiological study, focusing on muscle.

ABSTRACT: The cholesterol synthesis inhibitor simvastatin, which is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, has severe collateral effects. We decided to comprehensively study the effects of simvastatin in zebrafish development and in myogenesis, because zebrafish has been used as a model to human diseases, due to its handling easiness, the optical clarity of its embryos, and the availability of physiological and structural methodologies. Furthermore, muscle is an important target of the drug. We used several simvastatin concentrations at different zebrafish developmental stages and studied survival rate, morphology, and physiology of the embryos. Our results show that high levels of simvastatin induce structural damage whereas low doses induce minor structural changes, impaired movements, and reduced

SUBMITTER: Campos LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5068466 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature