Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Biological Samples Using the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances Assay
06:19

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Biological Samples Using the Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances Assay

Published on: May 12, 2020

Effects of statins on oxidative stress

M Ilker Yilmaz1, Y Baykal, M Kilic

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Gülhane School of Medicine, Etlik-Ankara, Turkey.

Biological Trace Element Research
|April 10, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Fluvastatin therapy improved antioxidant status in hypercholesterolemia (HC) patients by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing antioxidant enzymes. This suggests fluvastatin

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is linked to oxidative stress from free oxygen radicals and low antioxidant enzyme activity.
  • Trace elements are crucial cofactors for antioxidant enzymes, but their combined role with the antioxidant system in HC patients is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antioxidative system and trace element status in hypercholesterolemic patients undergoing fluvastatin therapy.
  • To evaluate the impact of fluvastatin on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activities.

Main Methods:

  • Measured erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA), copper zinc-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities.
  • Assessed erythrocyte copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) levels in 35 HC patients and 27 controls.
  • Analyzed plasma lipid levels and oxidative state before and after 3 months of fluvastatin treatment.

Main Results:

  • HC patients exhibited higher MDA levels and lower CuZn-SOD and GSH-Px activities compared to controls.
  • Erythrocyte iron levels were elevated, while copper and zinc levels were reduced in HC patients.
  • Fluvastatin treatment led to significant improvements in the oxidative state.

Conclusions:

  • Fluvastatin demonstrates notable antioxidant properties in hypercholesterolemic patients.
  • These antioxidant effects may play a significant role in managing dyslipidemia through improved endothelial function.

Related Concept Videos

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
Peroxisomes01:24

Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are specialized organelles present in fungi, plant, and animal cells. It can vary in number, size, morphology, and activity depending on the type of tissue and the nutritional state of the cell. For example, cells with active lipid metabolism, such as adipocytes, neurons, and hepatocytes, have more peroxisomes than other cells in the body. Besides their primary role in breaking down complex organic molecules, peroxisomes can also synthesize specific macromolecules and participate in...
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...