Atorvastatin decreases high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in multiple sclerosis.
The anti-inflammatory potential of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, as reflected by modulation of C-reactive protein (CRP), might be beneficial in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated serum levels of high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP in relapsing-remitting MS patients receiving interferon-beta 1b and atorvastatin as add-on therapy. This study shows that interferon-beta treatment is associated with increased serum levels of hs-CRP in MS patients (P<0.01). In contrast, when atorvastatin is added to interferon-beta, hs-CRP serum levels decrease to the normal range (P<0.05), indicating an anti-inflammatory action of atorvastatin in MS. However, whether add-on treatment with atorvastatin modifies the course of MS remains to be investigated.
Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. sellner@lrz.tum.de
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Mattle
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015415:Biomarkers; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000069059:Atorvastatin