Lack of effect of 8 weeks atorvastatin on microvascular endothelial function in patients with systemic sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that statin therapy confers benefit on the microvasculature, including improving endothelial function, in patients with SSc.


METHODS
This was a randomized, parallel group, double-blind study, with assessments at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Thirty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks treatment with atorvastatin 20 mg/day or placebo. The primary end-point was endothelial-dependent vasodilation, as assessed by response to iontophoresis with acetylcholine chloride (ACh) as measured by laser Doppler imaging. Secondary end-points included endothelial-independent vasodilation, microvascular structure as assessed by videocapillaroscopy, von Willebrand factor, high-sensitivity CRP and plasma cholesterol.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients were randomly assigned to atorvastatin and 18 to placebo. Eight weeks treatment resulted in no statistically significant differences in any of the outcome measures (other than cholesterol) between atorvastatin and placebo groups. The median area under the curve for ACh iontophoresis at baseline was 1569 perfusion units (PU).time in the atorvastatin group and 1450 PU.time in the placebo group, and at 8 weeks 2146 and 1822 PU.time, respectively. Mean difference (95% CI) at 8 weeks was 355 (-835, 1544) PU.time.


CONCLUSIONS
Atorvastatin 20 mg/day, given for 8 weeks, was not associated with changes in microvascular function or structure. The large variation in outcome scores means that it is not possible to rule out an effect on the basis of this trial. Future studies should be of longer duration and include patients with early disease who are unlikely to have irreversible structural vascular disease.


BACKGROUND
EudraCT, https://eudract.emea.europa.eu/, 2005-003775-21.
Department of Rheumatology, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral, UK.
Hala Y
HY
Sadik
Tonia L
TL
Moore
Andy
A
Vail
Andrea
A
Murray
Marina
M
Anderson
Andrew
A
Blann
Ariane L
AL
Herrick
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin