title: A combination of low-dose fluvastatin and valsartan decreases inflammation and oxidative stress in apparently healthy middle-aged males.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We have previously shown that a "short-term, low-dose" treatment approach with statins, angiotensin receptor blockers, and especially their low-dose combination, is effective in improving arterial wall properties in apparently healthy middle-age men. This study was performed to expand investigation of its effects on inflammation and oxidative stress.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed supplementary to 3 previous studies, overall 65 treated participants (25 received fluvastatin 10 mg, 20 valsartan 20 mg, 20 their combination) and 65 participants placebo. The stored blood samples (collected at inclusion and after 30 days of treatment) were used to measure high-sensitivity CRP, interleukin-6, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase, and selenium concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A low-dose combination decreased inflammation parameters (high-sensitivity CRP: from 1.2 ± 0.1 to 0.7 ± 0.1 mg/L; P < .001; vascular cell adhesion molecule-1: from 523 ± 21 to 482 ± 12 pg/mL; P < .05; while interleukin-6 did not reach the level of significance). It also increased antioxidant defenses, as measured by total antioxidant status and glutathione peroxidase (from 1.4 ± 0.04 to 1.5 ± 0.04 mmol/L; P < .01, and from 1.2 ± 0.06 to 1.4 ± 0.06 μkat/g hemoglobin; P < .05, respectively), accompanied by decreased selenium levels. Low-dose valsartan was separately less effective than the combination. No changes were observed in the control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-dose combination of fluvastatin and valsartan and, to a lesser extent low-dose valsartan alone, produced important anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. These results confirm and extend the potential of the "short-term, low-dose" preventive strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Diseases (Drs Janic[Combining Acute Accent], Lunder, and Šabovicč) and Clinical Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry (Dr Prezelj), University of Ljubljana Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Miodrag
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janić
authors.forename: Mojca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lunder
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prezelj
authors.forename: Mišo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Šabovič
mesh_terms: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000068756:Valsartan; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000975:Antioxidants; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D015850:Interleukin-6; D013777:Tetrazoles; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D000068756:Valsartan; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D012643:Selenium; D014633:Valine