Low Statin Doses Have No Effect on Plasma Concentrations of cfDNA or Muscle-Specific miRNA

Statins are the most commonly prescribed lipid-lowering drugs. Around 10 % of statin users develop one of statin-associated muscle syndromes (SAMS), ranging from mild myalgia to severe life-threatening rhabdomyolysis. So far, no reliable marker of SAMS has been identified. Plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA, of nuclear or mitochondrial origin) and microRNA (miRNA) are among the potential molecules that could reflect muscle changes induced by statins. Two groups of statin-treated subjects were included into our study. In an intensively screened branch, 15 males on 10 mg of rosuvastatin provided two samples before the treatment initiation, three subsequent at weeks 4, 8 and 12 on statin treatment, and one after four weeks of the wash-out period. The second branch included 29 subjects, with samples collected before the treatment and after 5-6 and 10-12 months of treatment. Plasma cfDNA of nuclear or mitochondrial origin and miRNAs 133a-3p, 23a-5p and 1-3p were analysed using qPCR. Plasma concentrations of cfnDNA, cfmtDNA or miRNAs did not change significantly during the statin treatment (all P values between 0.27-0.93). The release of cfDNA and miRNA is probably not significantly affected by low-dose statin therapy.