Ambivalent effects of atorvastatin on angiogenesis, epidermal cell proliferation and tumorgenesis in animal models

A growing body of preclinical data indicates that statins may possess antineoplastic properties; however, some studies have raised the possibility that statins may also have carcinogenic potential. An air pouch model was used for angiogenesis. Single or multiple applications of croton oil on the back of Swiss albino mice with or without initiation by dimethylbenz(a)antheracene (DMBA) were used to evaluate the skin tumorgenesis, ultrastructural and histological alterations. Atorvastatin (orally, 10 mg/kg/day) produced a significant (P