Anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin in subjects with hypercholesterolemia

• Published in: International journal of cardiology 2001-02, Vol.77 (2), p.247-253
• Main Authors: Musial, Jacek, Undas, Anetta, Gajewski, Piotr, Jankowski, Milosz, Sydor, Wojciech, Szczeklik, Andrzej
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - pharmacology; Anticholesteremic Agents - pharmacology; Anticholesteremic Agents - therapeutic use; Aspirin; Aspirin - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; C-reactive protein; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; General and cellular metabolism. Vitamins; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypercholesterolemia - drug therapy; Hypercholesterolemia - physiopathology; Inflammation - drug therapy; Interleukin-6 - blood; Interleukin-8 - blood; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Proinflammatory cytokines; Simvastatin; Simvastatin - pharmacology; Simvastatin - therapeutic use; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis
• ISSN: 0167-5273; 1874-1754
• DOI: 10.1016/S0167-5273(00)00439-3

Aims: Beneficial effects of statins in preventing cardiovascular events may depend, at least in part, on their anti-inflammatory action. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of simvastatin and aspirin on serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Methods and results: In 33 asymptomatic men with total cholesterol (TC) >6.5 mmol l −1 and in 25 men with coronary heart disease and borderline-high cholesterol levels (between 5.2 and 6.5 mmol l −1) chronically treated with low-dose aspirin (75 mg/d), serum levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8 were determined before and after a 3-month simvastatin therapy (20–40 mg daily). In the former group, these markers of inflammation were also measured before and after a 2-week treatment with aspirin (300 mg/d), implemented prior to and in combination with simvastatin. A distinct reduction of CRP and TNF-α was found in both groups; IL-6 levels were decreased only in subjects with marked hypercholesterolemia. Aspirin had no effect on the anti-inflammatory action of simvastatin. Conclusions: In men with hypercholesterolemia simvastatin treatment lowers serum levels of CRP and proinflammatory cytokines. Low-dose aspirin does not add to the anti-inflammatory action of simvastatin.