Elevated skeletal muscle phosphodiesters in adults using statin medications

Elevated skeletal muscle phosphodiesters (PDE) have previously been reported with muscle-related disorders. Myalgia is a side effect of using statin cholesterol-lowering medications and, therefore, statin use may be associated with increased skeletal muscle PDE. The effect of cholesterol-lowering drugs on skeletal muscle phosphorus metabolites was determined with (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Resting (31)P metabolites of the anterior compartment muscles were measured in two groups (n = 20; age, 49 +/- 2 years); half were taking statins and the other half were not on these agents. Muscle PDE was 57% greater in the statin group than the control group. These data suggest that statin use increases muscle PDE. Our findings are particularly relevant due to the increasing use and higher dosing of statin medications. Further prospective studies should be performed to document a causal relationship between elevated PDE and statin use, in addition to quantifying correlates to muscle function.