title: Effects of statin therapy on serum trace element status in dyslipidemic patients: results of a randomized placebo-controlled cross-over trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Statins are widely used in the management of coronary risk because of their efficacy in reducing LDL and their potentially protective pleiotropic effects. Imbalances in the status of trace elements such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) have been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the effects of simvastatin on serum Zn, Cu, Zn:Cu ratio, selenium (Se), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in dyslipidemic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-seven dyslipidemic patients, who were not originally taking lipid lowering agents, were assigned to receive simvastatin (40 mg/day) and placebo in alternate orders in a double-blind cross-over trial for a period of 4 weeks with a 2-week wash-out period. Serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Se, Cp, and SOD were measured before and after each treatment period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant effect of statin therapy on serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Zn:Cu ratio, Se, Cp, and SOD (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Four-week treatment with simvastatin (40 mg/day) is not associated with any beneficial or adverse effect on serum trace element (Zn, Cu and Se) status as well as enzymatic activities of Cp and SOD. However, the impacts of statin type as well as treatment dose and duration on these parameters remain to be clarified.
authors.affiliation: Pathology Department, Razavi Hospital, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Farid
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farrokhi
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moohebati
authors.forename: Hamid Reza Assadzadeh
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Aghdaei
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ghaffarzadegan
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Norouzi
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
authors.forename: Shima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavallaie
authors.forename: Mahmoud Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Azarpazhooh
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghayour-Mobarhan
authors.forename: Gordon A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ferns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002570:Ceruloplasmin / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014131:Trace Elements; D019821:Simvastatin; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D002570:Ceruloplasmin