Abstract

Hyperlipidemia is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids and positively associated with cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible effects of allopurinol against brain injury in hyperlipidemic rats. Hyperlipidemia was induced by maintaining the rats on high fat diet for 6 weeks. The diet was prepared by adding 1% cholesterol powder, 0.2% cholic acid, and 10% fat to the rat powdered standard laboratory diet., At the end of the 4^th week animals were treated with fluvastatin (2.5 mg/kg, p.o) and three dose of allopurinol (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o) concomitant with hypercaloric diet for 2 weeks. Assessment of activity by grid floor activity cage was done at zero time and the end of the 6 week period. Blood was drawn for biochemical assays as serum cholesterol, triglyceride, liver transaminases and creatine kinase levels. Brains were isolated for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents as well as finally histopathological study. High fat diet -induced hyperlipidemia associated with a reduction in activity of rats and an elevation of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and liver transaminase. The allopurinol treatment improves the elevation in serum cholesterol, triglyceride, liver transaminase, creatine kinase levels and ameliorates MDA and GSH brain contents as well as attenuates karyolysis. These results suggest that allopurinol has antihyperlipidemic properties as improves hyperlipidemia and its brain complications by modulation of lipid profile elevation and brain oxidative stress.

Key words: Allopurinol, activity, brain injury, hyperlipidemia, rats.