Atorvastatin treatment decreases inflammatory and proteolytic activity in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Statins possess non-lipid effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet properties.
• Statin therapy can modulate the body's endogenous inflammatory response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of atorvastatin on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
• To assess MMP-9 and hs-CRP as indicators of proteolytic and inflammatory activity.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 44 hypercholesterolemia patients randomly assigned to atorvastatin plus diet or diet alone for two months.
• Measurements of MMP-9 and hs-CRP were conducted at the study's start and after two months.

Main Results:

• Atorvastatin treatment led to a 32% decrease in LDL levels, compared to a 9% decrease with diet alone.
• Plasma hs-CRP levels reduced significantly in the atorvastatin group (from 5.16 to 2.88 mg/L), while MMP-9 activity decreased from 64.3 to 35.4 ng/ml.
• Reductions in hs-CRP and MMP-9 were significantly greater with atorvastatin compared to diet alone; MMP-9 levels remained unchanged with diet alone.

Conclusions:

• Atorvastatin effectively reduces inflammatory and proteolytic activity in individuals with hypercholesterolemia.
• The findings highlight the anti-inflammatory benefits of atorvastatin beyond its lipid-lowering effects.