Anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin in patients with stable coronary artery disease
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https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3780-3179
Abstract
The aim – to assess the effect of atorvastatin on mediators of systemic inflammation in comparison with its hypolipidemic effect.
Materials and methods. 54 patients with coronary artery disease (stable angina pectoris, functional class II-IV) were examined before and after two months of treatment with atorvastatin 20 mg per day. The control group consisted of 30 practically healthy individuals with intact coronary arteries according to coronary angiography, without dyslipidemia and signs of systemic inflammation. Immunological and biochemical parameters were studied in peripheral blood taken on an empty stomach.
Results. Atorvastatin 20 mg per day for 2 months of treatment reduces systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia in patients with stable coronary artery disease. With a moderate decrease in cholesterol levels (less than 1.85 mmol/l) compared to a significant decrease (more than 1.85 mmol/l), the reduction in the levels of systemic inflammatory mediators in the supernatant of blood mononuclear cells was compared, respectively: TNFα – -60 (p<0.05) and -18 %, IL-6 – -48 and +38 %, IL-8 – -36 (p<0.05) and +4 %, IL-10 – -88 (p<0.05) and -65 %, CRP in serum – -26 and +5 %. With moderately and significantly increased initial levels of pro-inflammatory factors, their reduction under the influence of atorvastatin was, respectively, as follows: TNFα – -9 and -74 (p<0.05) %, IL-6 – -18 and +6 %, IL-8 – +5 and -12 (p<0.05) %, IL-10 – +10 and -88 (p<0.05) %, CRP – +46 (p<0.05) and -41 (p<0.05) %.
Conclusions. Atorvastatin 20 mg daily for two months reduced systemic inflammation in patients with stable coronary artery disease. The effect of atorvastatin on immune inflammation factors (CRP, TNFα, IL-6, IL-8) was directly dependent on the baseline level of the factor. The more the level of the indicator is disturbed relative to the control, the greater the normalizing effect of atorvastatin (R=0.32-0.77; p=0.04-0.00001). Treatment with atorvastatin was associated with a decrease in the elevated level of anti-inflammatory IL-10, but did not affect its normal level in the blood. The anti-inflammatory effect of atorvastatin was not associated with the degree of reduction in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides.
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References
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