Fluvastatin blunts the effect of a high-fat meal on plasma triglyceride and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentrations in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events.
BACKGROUND
The postprandial state is critical in atherogenesis. The aims of this study were to study the postprandial change of plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events, and to explore the influence of fluvastatin on hsCRP concentration.


METHODS
Forty-three patients at high risk for cardiovascular events and 15 healthy controls participated in this study. All participants received an oral high-fat meal (800 calories; 50 g fat) at baseline. Blood samples were drawn at 0 and 4 h to measure the plasma concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hsCRP. Then patients at high risk were randomly divided into two groups to accept fluvastatin (40 mg/day) (fluvastatin group, n=22) or placebo (placebo group, n=21). One week later, the high-fat meals were repeated and plasma samples were collected again.


RESULTS
The postprandial plasma triglyceride concentrations increased in all participants, whereas the postprandial plasma hsCRP concentrations increased significantly only in patients at high risk (P<0.05), but not in healthy controls. After 1 week, the fasting or postprandial plasma lipid levels and hsCRP concentrations did not significantly change in the placebo group compared with the levels at baseline, whereas the postprandial plasma triglyceride and hsCRP concentrations significantly decreased in the fluvastatin group. The reduction of plasma hsCRP concentration was not related to the change of plasma triglyceride concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Fluvastatin effectively reduced postprandial plasma hsCRP concentrations in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events in a very short period of time.
Liu
Ling
L
Departments of aCardiology bClinical Laboratory Technique cNutrition, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, P.R. China.
Zhao
Shui-Ping
SP
Hu
Min
M
Li
Ji-Xiang
JX
D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007211:Indoles; D014280:Triglycerides; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein