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Influence of atorvastatin on blood pressure control in treated hypertensive, normolipemic patients - An open, pilot

Agnieszka M Kuklinska1, Barbara Mroczko, Wlodzimierz J Musial

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Medical University, Bialystok, Poland. agnieszka.kuklinska@gmail.com

Blood Pressure
|January 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

High-dose atorvastatin significantly reduced blood pressure (BP) in patients with hypertension, independent of its lipid-lowering effects. This hypotensive effect was linked to increased nitric oxide (NO) and decreased autoantibodies against oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Hypertension Research

Background:

  • Primary arterial hypertension is a significant cardiovascular risk factor.
  • Endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress play roles in hypertension.
  • Statins are primarily known for lipid-lowering effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of high-dose atorvastatin on blood pressure in hypertensive patients.
  • To determine if this effect is linked to changes in endothelial function and oxidative stress biomarkers.
  • To assess the impact of atorvastatin on prostacyclin metabolites, nitric oxide (NO), and autoantibodies against oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).

Main Methods:

  • An open-label study involving 56 normolipemic patients with controlled primary arterial hypertension.
  • Patients were randomized to receive atorvastatin 80 mg daily (n=39) or continue previous therapy (n=17).
  • Blood pressure was monitored using 24-h ambulatory BP measurement; biomarker levels were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Atorvastatin treatment led to a significant reduction in systolic BP (-5.7 mmHg) and diastolic BP (-3.9 mmHg).
  • The blood pressure reduction was independent of lipid-lowering effects.
  • While prostacyclin metabolites and NO levels did not significantly increase, the decrease in BP correlated with an increase in NO and a decrease in autoantibodies against ox-LDL.

Conclusions:

  • High-dose atorvastatin effectively reduces blood pressure in hypertensive patients, irrespective of lipid changes.
  • The hypotensive effect is associated with increased nitric oxide and decreased autoantibodies against ox-LDL.
  • The open-label design necessitates cautious interpretation of these findings.
Abstract

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