College of Pharmacy at the University of Mosul Conducts a Master’s Thesis Defense
On the morning of Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the College of Pharmacy at the University of Mosul held a master’s thesis defense for student Noor Nabeel Saleh Mustafa in the seminar hall. The thesis is titled:
“The impact of statin on circulating levels of PCSK9 protein in dyslipidemic male rats”
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on the gene expression of PCSK9 and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in male rats with high-fat diet-induced dyslipidemia.
This randomized controlled experimental study was conducted on 36 rats. The dyslipidemic groups were treated with either pitavastatin or atorvastatin for a period of four weeks. The high-fat diet successfully induced elevations in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C. Both pharmacological interventions demonstrated significant improvement in the lipid profile; however, atorvastatin showed superior efficacy in reducing LDL-C, while pitavastatin proved more effective in lowering triglycerides and total cholesterol.
The findings revealed an increase in serum PCSK9 levels post-treatment, alongside an up-regulation in the hepatic gene expression of both PCSK9 and LDLR. The study concluded that both statins stimulate the gene expression of LDLR and PCSK9, with atorvastatin exerting a more pronounced effect on increasing PCSK9, whereas pitavastatin showed a higher efficacy in up-regulating LDLR expression.
The Examination Committee consisted of the following members:
* Prof. Dr. Mohammed Khalid Shindala (Chair)
* Asst. Prof. Mudar Nizar Dawood (Member)
* Asst. Prof. Mohammed Nazim Mohammed Ali (Member)
* Asst. Prof. Musab Mohammed Khalaf (Member and Primary Supervisor)
* Prof. Dr. Nashat Ghalib Mustafa (Member and Co-supervisor)
Following the formal defense, the examination committee commended the student’s academic efforts and scientific rigor. The committee subsequently approved the thesis, subject to minor revisions.