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Atorvastatin reduces proinflammatory markers in hypercholesterolemic patients
Elia Ascer1, Marcelo C Bertolami, Margareth L Venturinelli
1Heart Institute (InCor HCFMUSP), Medical School, University of São Paulo, Fundação Maria Cecília Souto Vidigal, Av. Enéas de C. Aguiar 44, São Paulo, SP 05403-901, Brazil. dclascer@incor.usp.br
Atherosclerosis
|October 19, 2004
Summary
Atorvastatin significantly reduced inflammatory markers like TNF, IL-6, IL-1, sICAM-1, and CRP in hypercholesterolemic patients compared to diet alone. These findings suggest statins
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Statins are known to reduce cardiovascular events, partly due to their anti-inflammatory effects.
- Hypercholesterolemia is associated with elevated inflammatory markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of atorvastatin on key inflammatory markers in hypercholesterolemic patients.
- To compare the effects of atorvastatin plus diet versus diet alone on these markers.
Main Methods:
- A randomized study involving hypercholesterolemic patients (LDL-cholesterol >160 mg/dL).
- One group received atorvastatin (20-40 mg/day) plus diet; the control group received diet alone.
- Plasma levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-6, sICAM-1, and CRP were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks using ELISA.
Main Results:
- Atorvastatin significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol by 39.9% compared to 4.4% with diet alone (P <0.0001).
- Significant reductions were observed in atorvastatin group for TNF (21.4%), IL-6 (22.1%), IL-1 (16.4%), and sICAM-1 (9.6%) versus minimal changes with diet alone.
- The percentage of patients with high CRP levels decreased significantly in the atorvastatin group (25.0% to 6.7%, P <0.0001), with no significant change in the diet-only group.
Conclusions:
- Atorvastatin significantly reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1, IL-6), sICAM-1, and CRP in hypercholesterolemic patients compared to diet alone.
- Statin-induced inhibition of inflammatory markers likely contributes to their beneficial effects in cardiovascular diseases.