title: The immunomodulatory effects of statins in community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the potential immunomodulatory effects of statins in community-acquired pneumonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a systematic review of available literature on experimental and clinical studies. We used a PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE search to identify potential articles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 34 original studies, 17 experimental and 17 clinical studies, published up to March 2013.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statins attenuated pulmonary inflammation by modulating neutrophil function, by reducing cytokine expression and release, and by protecting against disruption of pulmonary integrity. However, additional experimental studies are needed to fully elucidate the exact mechanisms. Several clinical studies suggested a decreased risk of CAP or a reduction in mortality due to CAP for current statin users, but the mostly observational design of these studies hampers the interpretation of their results. Therefore, appropriately designed studies, such as randomised controlled trials, are required to demonstrate the usefulness of statins in the prevention and treatment of CAP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D P R
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Troeman
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Postma
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: van Werkhoven
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Oosterheert
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors