Anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin in subjects with hypercholesterolemia.
OBJECTIVE
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-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in hypercholesterolemic subjects.


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-alpha, 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-alpha 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.
Musial
J
J
Department of Medicine, Jagiellonian University School of Medicine, Skawinska 8, 31-066, Krakow, Poland. mmmusia@cyf-kr.edu.pl
Undas
A
A
Gajewski
P
P
Jankowski
M
M
Sydor
W
W
Szczeklik
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D019821:Simvastatin; D001241:Aspirin