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Hypotensive effect of atorvastatin is not related to changes in inflammation and oxidative stress

Agnieszka M Kuklińska1, Barbara Mroczko, Włodzimierz J Musiał

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Medical University, M. Skłodowskiej-Curie 24A, PL15-276 Białystok, Poland. agnieszka.kuklinska@gmail.com

Pharmacological Reports : PR
|November 25, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Atorvastatin significantly reduced blood pressure in patients with hypertension. This blood pressure lowering effect was independent of its impact on cholesterol, inflammation, or oxidative stress markers.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Essential arterial hypertension is a significant cardiovascular risk factor.
  • Statins, primarily used for lipid-lowering, may possess additional cardiovascular benefits.
  • The potential blood pressure-lowering effects of statins, independent of lipid modification, warrant investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether atorvastatin reduces blood pressure in patients with well-controlled essential arterial hypertension.
  • To explore if this potential hypotensive effect is linked to atorvastatin's anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized study involving 56 non-smoking, normolipemic patients with essential arterial hypertension.
  • Patients received either 80 mg atorvastatin daily for 3 months or continued previous hypotensive therapy.
  • Blood pressure was monitored using 24-h ambulatory monitoring; serum levels of hs-CRP, TAS, and peroxides were measured.

Main Results:

  • Atorvastatin treatment led to a significant reduction in both systolic (mean change -5.7 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (mean change -3.9 mmHg).
  • No significant changes in blood pressure were observed in the statin-free group.
  • The hypotensive effect of atorvastatin was not associated with significant changes in hs-CRP, TAS, or peroxide levels, and was independent of lipid-lowering effects.

Conclusions:

  • Atorvastatin administration can effectively reduce blood pressure in patients with well-controlled essential arterial hypertension.
  • The blood pressure-lowering mechanism of atorvastatin in this context does not appear to be mediated by its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, or lipid-lowering actions.

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