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Effect of simvastatin on serum C-reactive protein during hormone replacement therapy

Eftihia Sbarouni1, Zenon S Kyriakides, Dimitrios Th Kremastinos

  • 12nd Department of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece. elbee@ath.forthnet.gr

The American Journal of Cardiology
|January 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can increase cardiovascular risk by raising C-reactive protein (CRP). Statins, like simvastatin, may counteract this inflammatory effect when combined with HRT.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is associated with an increased early cardiovascular hazard.
  • Statins are known to reduce cardiovascular risk.
  • The interaction between HRT, statins, and inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of HRT and simvastatin, alone and in combination, on CRP levels in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.
  • To determine if statins can attenuate the inflammatory response induced by HRT.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study was conducted.
  • Sixteen postmenopausal hypercholesterolemic women with coronary artery disease participated.
  • Treatments included HRT, simvastatin, combination therapy, and placebo, with CRP levels measured after each period.

Main Results:

  • Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) significantly increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels compared to placebo.
  • The combination of HRT with simvastatin did not result in a significant increase in CRP levels.
  • Simvastatin alone was not explicitly compared to placebo for CRP levels in the provided abstract.

Conclusions:

  • Statins, such as simvastatin, may mitigate the inflammatory adverse effects associated with HRT.
  • The findings suggest a potential benefit of combining statins with HRT to manage cardiovascular risk in specific patient populations.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

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