title: Effects of atorvastatin on endothelial function and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules in young subjects with successfully repaired coarctation of aorta.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on endothelial function and low-grade systemic inflammation in subjects with successful surgery for aortic coarctation repair (SCR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Open-label study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatients visiting the adult congenital heart disease department of our hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  34 young people with SCR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with SCR received atorvastatin 10 mg/day (n=17) or no treatment (n=17) for 4 weeks. At baseline and at 4 weeks, endothelial function was assessed by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the right brachial artery, and blood samples were obtained. Serum levels of interleukin (IL) 1b, IL-6 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were determined by ELISA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effects of treatment on FMD and serum levels of IL-1b, IL-6 and sVCAM-1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FMD in the atorvastatin group was significantly improved after 4 weeks (from 6.46±0.95% to 11.24±1.38%, p<0.01), while remaining unchanged in the control group (from 6.74±0.58% to 6.95±0.53%, p=NS). Even though atorvastatin had no effect on serum IL-6 levels (0.62 (0.37-0.88) pg/ml to 0.53 (0.28-0.73) pg/ml, p=NS), it significantly reduced circulating levels of IL-1b (from 1.17 (0.92-1.77) pg/ml to 1.02 (0.75-1.55) pg/ml, p<0.05) and sVCAM-1 (from 883.4 (660.3-1093.1) ng/ml to 801.4 (566.7-1030.2) ng/ml, p<0.05). No changes were seen in serum levels of IL-6, IL-1b and sVCAM-1 in the control group after 4 weeks compared with baseline (p=NS for all).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Atorvastatin treatment for 4 weeks in subjects with SCR significantly improved endothelial function and suppressed systemic inflammatory status by decreasing circulating levels of IL-1b and sVCAM-1.
authors.affiliation: Athens University Medical School, S Karagiorga 69, Glifada, Athens 16675, Greece. tousouli@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brili
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Antonopoulos
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniades
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hatzis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bakogiannis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papageorgiou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin