No evidence of impaired endothelial function or altered inflammatory state in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia treated with statins.
BACKGROUND
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with an increased risk of premature atherosclerosis. Central in this aspect is enhanced inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to examine inflammatory cytokines and endothelial dysfunction in patients with FH treated with statins (n = 14) compared with healthy control patients (n = 11).


METHODS
Endothelial function was evaluated by the use of the Endo-PAT® system which measured mean reactive hyperemia index. Fasting blood samples were drawn, and 27 biomarkers in addition to standard laboratory tests were analyzed.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant differences between the FH group and the control group regarding age, weight, blood pressure, or body mass index. Endothelial function given as RHI was 1.58 and 1.93 (P = NS) in the control and FH groups, respectively. There were no differences between the groups in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL-1) beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, or any of the other inflammatory markers tested. Furthermore, no significant differences between the groups in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, HbA(₁c), platelets, and fibrinogen were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Endothelial function assessed by reactive hyperemia index-peripheral arterial tonometry or inflammatory state assessed by soluble inflammatory biomarkers were not different in FH patients on statins compared with healthy control patients.
Coronary Care Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Nordland Hospital, Prinsens gate, N-8092 Bodø, Norway. anders.w.hovland@gmail.com
Anders
A
Hovland
Inger
I
Aagnes
Ole-Lars
OL
Brekke
John Helge
JH
Flage
Knut Tore
KT
Lappegård
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002097:C-Reactive Protein