Effects of Atorvastatin on Pathological Changes in Brain Tissue and Plasma MMP-9 in Rats with Intracerebral Hemorrhage

To explore the effects of atorvastatin on hydrocephalus, neurocyte apoptosis, and the level of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats. A rat model of ICH was established by intracerebral injection of collagenase. The brain water content was determined by the wet/dry weight ratio, ultrastructural changes in brain tissue were observed by electron microscopy, and the level of plasma MMP-9 was quantified by ELISA. Atorvastatin showed significant effects in reducing the brain water content, blocking neuron apoptosis, and decreasing plasma MMP-9 in rats with ICH. There was a positive linear correlation between plasma MMP-9 and the brain water content. Atorvastatin can significantly relieve brain edema, decrease the brain injury caused by MMP-9 and protect neurons in rats with ICH.