Different effects of pravastatin and cerivastatin on the media of the carotid arteries as assessed by integrated backscatter ultrasound.
BACKGROUND
Currently, there are various types of statins used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and coronary artery disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a lipophilic statin (cerivastatin) with those of a hydrophilic statin (pravastatin) on the carotid arterial media using integrated backscatter (IB) ultrasound. Cerivastatin (C) has a strong anti-proliferative effect (APE) on smooth muscle cells (SMCs), whereas pravastatin (P) has a weak effect.


RESULTS
The IB values in the media of 72 segments of carotid arteries were measured in 36 patients with hyperlipidemia before and after statin therapy or diet for 6 months (C, n=13: P, n=12: diet, n=11). In addition, IB values of 34 segments of carotid arteries were measured in 34 patients without coronary risk factors. Intima - media thickness (IMT) and arterial stiffness (stiffness beta) were measured by conventional echo at the same time. IB values did not significantly change in the P group (12.8+/-3.5 vs 12.7+/-2.7 dB), but decreased in the C group (12.1 +/-2.9 vs 10.0+/-2.7 dB, p<0.01). Also, stiffness beta did not significantly change in the P group (8.3+/-3.1 vs 7.6+/-2.5), but decreased in the C group (10.1+/-4.3 vs 7.9+/-3.3, p<0.05). IB values correlated with age (r=0.70, p<0.01) and stiffness beta (r=0.67, p<0.01) in the 34 patients without coronary risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Statin therapy with cerivastatin, but not pravastatin, decreased the IB values of the carotid media and arterial stiffness. The difference between these 2 statins may be related to their effective dose range.
Regeneration & Advanced Medical Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University, Japan.
Yoko
Y
Ito
Masanori
M
Kawasaki
Haruko
H
Yokoyama
Munenori
M
Okubo
Keiji
K
Sano
Masazumi
M
Arai
Kazuhiko
K
Nishigaki
Yoshihiro
Y
Uno
Genzou
G
Takemura
Shinya
S
Minatoguchi
Hisayoshi
H
Fujiwara
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids; D011725:Pyridines; C086276:cerivastatin; D017035:Pravastatin