Effect of simvastatin on plasma interleukin-6 in patients with unstable angina

The primary aim of the study was to investigate the effect of sinvastatin on plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP).

Eighty-six patients with UAP were randomized into simvastatin (40 mg/d for 4 weeks) and the placebo group. Plasma IL-6 was measured by ELISA.

There was a reduction in the plasma total cholesterol and LDL in the simvastatin group (P < 0.01). The simvastatin group also had better angina control than the placebo group (post-treatment angina score, 0.72+/-0.59 vs 1.07+/-0.76, P < 0.05). Following treatment, the average left ventricular ejection fraction in the simvastatin group was higher than in the placebo group (0.54+/-0.06 vs 0.51+/-0.05, P < 0.05), whereas the plasma BNP levels were lower (16.8+/-6.6 vs 26.4+/-1.4, P < 0.01). Before treatment, there was no difference in the plasma levels of IL-6 between the simvastatin and the placebo groups (P > 0.05). Following treatment, the IL-6 levels in the simvastatin group were lower than in the placebo group (0.7+/-0.4 vs 1.2+/-0.4 pg/ml, P < 0.05).

Short-term treatment with simvastatin reduces plasma IL-6. The anti-inflammatory effect of simvastatin may contribute to its beneficial effects on the ventricular function and angina control.