After classic sciatic nerve constriction in rats, spinal/nerve elevations of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), matrix metalloproteases (MMP-2) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were some ameliorated by Atorvastatin. In a human case report, atorvastatin reduced neuropathic pain.
Antihyperalgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Atorvastatin in Chronic Constriction Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain in Rats.
Pathak, Nitya N; Balaganur, Venkanna; Lingaraju, Madhu C; More, Amar S; Kant, Vinay; et al.
Inflammation 36.6 (December 2013): 1468-1478.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23872719
“Our study demonstrated that atorvastatin attenuates neuropathic pain through inhibition of cytokines, MMP-2, and NGF in sciatic nerve and spinal cord suggesting that atorvastatin could be an additional therapeutic strategy in management of neuropathic pain ”
Clin J Pain. 2013 Dec;29(12):e46-8.
Atorvastatin as novel treatment for neuropathic pain: a case report.
Gillon JT, Smith SE, Lowden MR.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23887344
- Stump case – must be some mild as weaned self off opioids
- “After starting atorvastatin 20 mg once daily for hypercholesterolemia, he immediately experienced decreased intensity of his stump pain, but his phantom pain persisted at its usual intensity.”
Comment – in both cases atorvastatin (lipidor) was used so best use it… Tolerance of statins among widespread pain cases is poor and CK levels should be checked. I would suggest pre-treatment with Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin D.
Addendum – simvastatin protects some in spinal cord injury-reperfusion injury in rats:
J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2013 Feb;27(1):79-85.
Effect of pretreatment with simvastatin on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
Hwang J, Han JI, Han S.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22445180