title: [Pleiotropic effects of statins in systemic sclerosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study anti-inflammatory and angioprotective properties of statins in patients with systemic sclerosis (SS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty SS patients enrolled in the trial were divided into two groups: the study group included 30 patients who received standard therapy and atorvastatin in a dose 10-40 mg/day, the control group (n = 20) received standard therapy alone. The blood of the patients was studied with enzyme immunoassay for concentrations of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-6, VCAM-1, E-selectin, WF antigen, VEGF-A, VEGF-R2. The tests were made before the treatment and after 12 months of the treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, VCAM-1, E-selectin, WF antigen, VEGF-A and VEGF-R2 were significantly higher in the study group than in healthy donors. The controls also had elevated levels of the above substances except IL-6 and VEGF-A which elevated but not significantly. A 12-month treatment in the study group resulted in a significant lowering of hs-CRP, IL-6, WF antigen, E-selectin, VEGF-A and VEGF-R2, the number of patients with elevated IL-6, WF antigen, VEGF-R2 also reduced while in the controls the parameters did not change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atorvastatin has anti-inflammatory and angioprotective effects in SS patients.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Alekperov
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Korzeneva
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Aleksandrova
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Novikov
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Anan'eva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; 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*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000069059:Atorvastatin