Related Experiment Videos

Effect of withdrawal of statin on C-reactive protein

Kun-Tai Lee1, Wen-Ter Lai, Chin-Sheng Chu

  • 1Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Cardiology
|August 31, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Statin therapy lowers C-reactive protein, a risk factor for heart disease. Stopping statins caused C-reactive protein levels to rise, potentially increasing cardiac event risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • C-reactive protein (CRP) is a risk factor for coronary artery disease.
  • Statins lower CRP levels and are used for hyperlipidemia.
  • The effect of statin withdrawal on CRP levels is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels after abrupt cessation of statin therapy.
  • To assess the impact of statin withdrawal on lipid profiles.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty hyperlipidemia patients received atorvastatin (10 mg/day) for 3 months.
  • Lipid profiles and CRP levels were measured before, immediately after, and 3 days post-statin withdrawal.

Main Results:

  • Statin therapy significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and CRP levels.
  • CRP levels increased significantly by the second day after statin withdrawal.
  • Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol did not increase within 3 days of statin withdrawal.

Conclusions:

  • Abruptly stopping statin therapy leads to an increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
  • Elevated CRP following statin withdrawal may contribute to cardiac events in patients with atherosclerotic heart disease.
Abstract

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...
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...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
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...
Hepatic Drug Clearance: Effect of Protein Binding01:09

Hepatic Drug Clearance: Effect of Protein Binding

Hepatic clearance is influenced by protein binding based on the drug's extraction ratio. Drugs with high extraction ratios are considered flow-limited and remain unaffected by protein binding during hepatic clearance. On the other hand, drugs with low extraction ratios may be impacted by plasma protein binding, although the extent of this influence depends on the fraction of the drug bound.
For low-extraction-ratio drugs that are less than 80% protein-bound, minor changes in protein binding...