Reduction of C-reactive protein by a single 80 mg of simvastatin in patients with unstable angina.
BACKGROUND
Increased concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) became widely accepted as a risk factor of the higher incidence of coronary events, and rapid lowering CRP by administration of drugs may produce early benefit to the coronary endothelium in patients with coronary heart disease and reduce angina and coronary events after revascularization. Limited information has been available, however, with respect to evaluating a potential effect of a single high-dose simvastatin on CRP in patients with unstable angina (UA) within 48 h. We investigated whether a rapid CRP reduction can be achieved by a single 80 mg of simvastatin therapy in patients with UA given immediately on admission.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with rest chest pain were randomly assigned to a single placebo or 80 mg of simvastatin given at the time of admission plus standard therapy. Blood samples were also drawn at the time of admission, and 48 h later for measuring serum CRP concentrations.


RESULTS
We found that 80 mg of simvastatin induced significant reductions in serum median CRP concentrations and in mean CRP concentrations 48 h later following administration of simvastatin (25.4% and 32.7%, p<0.001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
A single high-dose simvastatin, given in the early time on admission, is an effective therapy for controlling inflammatory response in patients with UA, and the benefit to the vascular endothelium might occur quickly by reduction of CRP concentrations in this high-risk subgroup.
Li
Jian-Jun
JJ
Department of Cardiology, Fu Wai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100037, People's Republic of China. lijnjn@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
Ying
Y
Nie
Shao-Ping
SP
Zhang
Chao-Yang
CY
Li
Yi-Shi
YS
Hui
Ru-Tai
RT
Zhen
Xin
X
D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D019821:Simvastatin