Anti-inflammatory effect and mechanisms of lovastatin in rats with collagen-induced arthritis

Objective: To study the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanisms of lovastatin in rats with collagen-induced arthritis（CIA）. Methods: CIA was induced by injecting bovine II collagen（BIIC） to Wistar rats. Results: The swelling degree of hind paw and arthritic index in lovastatin group was lower than that in CIA group.Lovastatin also reduced the inflammatory invasion and expression of TNF-α,and inhibited the cells expressing RANTES in CIA rats. Conclusion: Lovastatin has anti-inflammatory effect in CIA rats;its possible mechanism relates to inhibition of the expression of RANTES.