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Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and interleukin-6 levels reflect endothelial dysfunction in patients with
H Nawawi1, N S Osman, R Annuar
1Chemical Pathology Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. hapizah@mail.hukm.ukm.my
Insights
Atorvastatin improves endothelial function in hypercholesterolaemia patients by reducing adhesion molecules and IL-6. These markers reflect endothelial dysfunction, showing improvement with statin therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Adhesion molecules and cytokines are implicated in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
- The relationship between these factors and endothelial function is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate atorvastatin's effects on soluble adhesion molecules, IL-6, and endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation) in hypercholesterolaemia.
- To compare these effects in patients with familial (FH) and non-familial hypercholesterolaemia (NFH).
Main Methods:
- 74 patients (27 FH, 47 NFH) received atorvastatin (80 mg/day for FH, 10 mg/day for NFH).
- Measurements included lipid profiles, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, E-selectin, IL-6, and FMD at baseline and follow-up points (2 weeks, 3 months, 9 months).
Main Results:
- Atorvastatin significantly reduced sICAM-1 and IL-6 levels in both FH and NFH groups over time.
- Endothelial function (FMD) showed early and progressive improvement from 2 weeks to 9 months.
- FMD was negatively correlated with sICAM-1 and IL-6 levels.
Conclusions:
- Atorvastatin, at both low and high doses, promotes early and sustained improvement in endothelial function in primary hypercholesterolaemia.
- sICAM-1 and IL-6 serve as indicators of endothelial dysfunction in these patients.
Abstract:
Adhesion molecules and cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis of intimal injury in atherosclerosis but their relationship with endothelial function remains unclear. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of atorvastatin on soluble adhesion molecules, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and brachial artery endothelial-dependent flow mediated dilatation (FMD) in patients with familial (FH) and non-familial hypercholesterolaemia (NFH). A total of 74 patients (27 FH and 47 NFH) were recruited. Fasting lipid profiles, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), E-selectin, IL-6 and FMD were measured at baseline, 2 weeks, 3 and 9 months post-atorvastatin treatment (FH--80 mg/day, NFH--10 mg/day). In both groups, compared to baseline, sICAM-1 levels were significantly reduced at 2 weeks, further reduced at 3 months and maintained at 9 months (P<0.0001). The IL-6 levels were significantly reduced at 3 months and 9 months compared to baseline for FH (P<0.005) and NFH (P<0.0001). In both groups, the FMD at 2 weeks was higher than baseline (P<0.005), with progressive improvement up to 9 months. FMD was negatively correlated with sICAM-1 and IL-6. In conclusion, both low and high doses of atorvastatin lead to early progressive improvement in endothelial function in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia. sICAM-1 and IL-6 levels reflect endothelial dysfunction in these patients.