[Effects of atorvastatin, alone and in combination with probucol on endothelial function in patients with acute coronary syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of combined atorvastatin and probucol use on endothelial function in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).


METHODS
Thirty patients with ACS were randomized to receive atorvastatin (20 mg/d) and probucol (500 mg/d, combination group, n = 15) or atorvastatin (20 mg/d) alone (atorvastatin group) within 24 h after admission for 4 weeks. Endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and endothelium-independent sublingual nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NMD) as well as the levels of lipids and C-reactive protein were assessed at baseline, 1 week and 4 weeks after therapy.


RESULTS
Compared to baseline, the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C and C-reactive protein were significantly reduced after 1 week and 4 weeks in both groups, FMD equally increased after 1 week in both groups (atorvastatin group: 3.75% +/- 0.78% vs. 1.09% +/- 0.44%, combination group: 3.67% +/- 0.36% vs. 1.24% +/- 0.37%, P < 0.01). Post 4 weeks therapy, FMD increase was significantly higher in combination group (3.67% +/- 0.36% at 1 week vs. 6.85% +/- 0.64% at 4 weeks, P < 0.01) than that in atorvastatin group (3.75% +/- 0.78% vs. 3.80% +/- 0.31%, P = 0.954). NMD also equally and increased over 4 weeks in two groups (P < 0.01 vs. baseline). There was no correlation between the change in FMD/NMD and the changes in lipids or C-reactive protein levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined atorvastatin and probucol therapy early after ACS is superior to atorvastatin alone on improving endothelial function.
Department of Cardiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
Xiao-yan
XY
Zheng
Ling
L
Liu
Shui-ping
SP
Zhao
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011341:Probucol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D011341:Probucol