title: Effect of atorvastatin and bezafibrate on plasma levels of C-reactive protein in combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia.
abstract: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific but sensitive marker of underlying systemic inflammation. High CRP plasma levels correlate with risk for future cardiovascular events. The present study evaluated the effects of atorvastatin (10-40 mg) and bezafibrate (400 mg) on CRP concentrations after 6 and 12 months of treatment in 103 patients with combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia. The number of cardiovascular risk factors present in a given patient was associated with baseline CRP levels. After 6 months and 1 year, atorvastatin treatment was associated with significant (P<0.001) decreases from baseline of CRP concentrations by 29 and 43%, respectively, while bezafibrate-treated patients showed non-significant reductions of 2.3 and 14.6%, respectively (P=0.056 and 0.005 for the respective differences between the two treatment arms at 6 months and 1 year). The magnitude of change in CRP after 1 year was directly related to baseline CRP levels. Covariance analysis showed that CRP decreases in the atorvastatin group were unrelated to total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol reductions; however, they were directly related to triglyceride changes (r=0.28, P=0.047) and inversely related to HDL cholesterol changes (r=-0.28, P=0.045). A model including baseline CRP values and treatment effect showed that atorvastatin use was a significant predictor of change in CRP levels over time (beta=0.82, P=0.023). These results suggest a potential anti-atherosclerotic additional benefit of atorvastatin in patients at a risk of cardiovascular disease.
authors: Biochemistry Service, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Avda. Reyes Católicos, 2, 28040, Madrid, Spain. jagomez@fjd.es
authors: Juan A
authors: JA
authors: Gómez-Gerique
authors: Emilio
authors: E
authors: Ros
authors: Josefina
authors: J
authors: Oliván
authors: Jose M
authors: JM
authors: Mostaza
authors: Miquel
authors: M
authors: Vilardell
authors: Xavier
authors: X
authors: Pintó
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Civeira
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Hernández
authors: Pedro Marqués
authors: PM
authors: da Silva
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Rodriguez-Botaro
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Zambón
authors: Joan
authors: J
authors: Lima
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Díaz
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Aristegui
authors: Josep M
authors: JM
authors: Sol
authors: José
authors: J
authors: Chaves
authors: Gonzalo
authors: G
authors: Hernández
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001629:Bezafibrate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006954:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D011758:Pyrroles; D014280:Triglycerides; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001629:Bezafibrate