Fluvastatin combined with 17beta-estradiol: effect on the oxidation of human low density lipoprotein

The in vitro effect of a statin and an estrogen on oxidation of human LDL was investigated for the first time, comparing the monosubstances fluvastatin and 17beta-estradiol as well as the effect of the combination. Fluvastatin significantly delayed the onset of LDL oxidation (controls = 90 min) by 23 min at 1 microM, by 110 min and by 221 min at 5 and 10 microM, respectively. 17Beta-estradiol significantly impeded the onset by 70 min at 1 microM and by more than 300 min at 5 and 10 microM. The combination of 1 microM 17beta-estradiol with 1, 5 and 10 microM fluvastatin showed an additive antioxidative effect; the onset was delayed by 100 min, by 167 min and by more than 300 min, respectively. It can be concluded that treatment of postmenopausal women with fluvastatin and 17beta-estradiol may have not only beneficial effects on lipid disorders but may also elicit a direct potent anti-atherosclerotic action on the vasculature.