Effects of simvastatin and atorvastatin on inflammation markers in plasma.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of statins on plasma markers for inflammation.


METHODS
Patients with hypercholesterolemia were randomized in one of the following treatments: Simvastatin (S) + placebo: S 40 mg for 6 weeks - S 80 mg for 6 weeks - S 80 mg for 24 weeks and Atorvastatin (A) + placebo: A 20 mg for 6 weeks - A 40 mg for 6 weeks - A 80 mg for 24 weeks.


METHODS
Forty-seven patients with hypercholesterolemia were recruited in four different outpatient clinics.


METHODS
Samples were obtained at randomization after 6, 12 and 36 weeks. Plasma or serum was analysed for lipids and for inflammation markers: C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), soluble phospholipase A2 (SPLA2), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).


RESULTS
The reduction in LDL was similar for the two statins, except at the highest dose of atorvastatin (41 vs. 47%). The increase in HDL tended to be more pronounced in the simvastatin group, significantly so on the highest dose of atorvastatin (P < 0.05). CRP and SAA was significantly reduced by atorvastatin, whilst no reduction was seen for simvastatin. There was a significant difference in treatment effects between the two statins. Both statins caused a reduction in SPLA2. For IL-6 and ICAM-1 only small and inconsistent reductions were observed for both statins.


CONCLUSIONS
Atorvastatin reduced the liver-derived acute-phase reactants, CRP and SAA, whilst the effect of simvastatin was small or absent. Small and inconsistent effects were seen for both statins on plasma levels of IL-6 and ICAM-1.
Wiklund
O
O
Wallenberg Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. wiklund@wlab.wall.gu.se
Mattsson-Hultén
L
L
Hurt-Camejo
E
E
Oscarsson
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011758:Pyrroles; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin