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Statin Function as an Anti-inflammation Therapy for Depression in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease by

Wenlin Ma1, Dan Shen, Jie Liu

  • 1*Department of Cardiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; †Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; ‡Translational Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; §Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; ¶Department of Psychiatry, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; and ‖Department of Stomatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
|September 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Inflammation is linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) and depression. Statins may treat depression in CAD patients by reducing inflammation, specifically by downregulating Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Inflammation is a known contributor to both coronary artery disease (CAD) and depressive symptoms.
  • Previous research indicates statin therapy can reduce depression incidence in CAD patients, but the underlying mechanisms require elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of inflammation in depression among patients with CAD.
  • To explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of statins in treating depression in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • 217 hospitalized CAD patients were assessed for depression severity using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire.
  • Peripheral blood inflammatory markers, including IL-1β, were measured.
  • Luciferase reporter assays were used to assess IL-1β and NF-κB expression in response to patient serum and atorvastatin treatment.

Main Results:

  • Patients with severe depression and CAD exhibited significantly higher IL-1β levels compared to those with no or milder depression.
  • Serum from CAD patients with depression upregulated IL-1β and NF-κB expression.
  • Atorvastatin treatment reduced IL-1β and NF-κB reporter gene expression.

Conclusions:

  • Depression in CAD patients is associated with heightened inflammation.
  • Statins may exert their antidepressant effects in CAD patients through anti-inflammatory actions, specifically by downregulating IL-1β.

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