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Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Lipid-Lowering Drugs and Supplements-A Narrative Review

Stefan Zivkovic1, Gorica Maric2, Natasa Cvetinovic3

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Zvezdara University Medical Center, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.

Nutrients
|March 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Lipid-lowering drugs, including statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, possess anti-inflammatory effects crucial for cardiovascular health. Understanding these properties may improve treatment strategies for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global cause of mortality.
  • The "lipid hypothesis" links cholesterol levels to CVD risk, driving the development of lipid-lowering agents.
  • Many lipid-lowering drugs exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, suggesting a connection between lipid reduction and inflammation control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the anti-inflammatory properties of various lipid-lowering medications.
  • To explore the role of inflammation in treatment failure and recurrent CVD events.
  • To assess current and novel lipid-lowering therapies for their immunomodulatory effects.

Main Methods:

  • Narrative review of scientific literature.
  • Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activities of lipid-lowering drugs.
  • Inclusion of statins, ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants (BAS), PCSK9 inhibitors, fibrates, omega-3 fatty acids, niacin, dietary supplements, and novel drugs.

Main Results:

  • Lipid-lowering medications demonstrate varying degrees of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
  • Reduced inflammation correlates with improved outcomes in cardiovascular disease management.
  • Insufficient inflammation reduction may contribute to treatment failure and recurrent CVD events.

Conclusions:

  • The anti-inflammatory actions of lipid-lowering drugs are a significant factor in managing cardiovascular diseases.
  • Further research into these properties can optimize therapeutic strategies.
  • Considering both lipid reduction and anti-inflammatory effects is essential for comprehensive CVD treatment.

Keywords:
C-reactive proteinatherosclerosiscardiovascular riskhigh-sensitivity C-reactive proteinimmunomodulationinflammation

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