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Published on: October 15, 2010

Atorvastatin normalizes endothelial function in healthy smokers

Stefan Agewall1, Asa Hernberg

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institute, S 14186 Stockholm, Sweden. stefan.agewall@karolinska.se

Clinical Science (London, England : 1979)
|April 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Atorvastatin treatment significantly improved endothelial function in smokers with normal cholesterol levels. This improvement in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) occurred independently of changes in LDL cholesterol, suggesting statins benefit smokers

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology
  • Endothelial Biology

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is a predictor of cardiovascular disease.
  • Smokers often exhibit impaired endothelial function, even with normal lipid profiles.
  • Statins are primarily known for lipid-lowering effects but may have pleiotropic vascular benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on endothelial function in smokers with normal cholesterol.
  • To compare atorvastatin's impact on endothelial function between smokers and non-smokers.
  • To determine if improvements in endothelial function are linked to LDL cholesterol reduction.

Main Methods:

  • Open-label, randomized cross-over study involving 20 healthy smokers and 20 non-smokers.
  • Participants received either 80 mg of atorvastatin or placebo.
  • Endothelial function was assessed using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) measurements.

Main Results:

  • Smokers had significantly lower baseline FMD compared to non-smokers (2.2% vs. 4.5%, P<0.05).
  • Atorvastatin treatment increased FMD in smokers (to 4.0%, P<0.05), with levels returning to baseline during placebo.
  • Atorvastatin had no significant effect on FMD in non-smokers, and changes in FMD were not correlated with LDL cholesterol reduction.

Conclusions:

  • High-dose atorvastatin (80 mg) can improve endothelial function in smokers with normal lipid levels.
  • The beneficial effect of atorvastatin on endothelial function in smokers is independent of its LDL-lowering capacity.
  • Statin therapy may represent a therapeutic strategy to mitigate endothelial dysfunction associated with smoking.

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