title: Simvastatin down-regulates the production of interleukin-8 by neutrophil leukocytes from dyslipidemic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neutrophil (PMN) leukocytes participate to the initial phases of atherosclerosis through the release of Interleukin 8 (CxCL8; IL-8) that contribute to amplification of inflammation. Aim of the study is to investigate the production of IL-8 by PMN leukocytes from dyslipidemic patients treated with simvastatin.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 15 dyslipidemic subjects with moderately increased cardiovascular risk, assessed by Framingham Risk Score, blood samples were obtain to investigate PMNs IL-8 production [at baseline and after N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) stimulation] before and after long-term (1-year) simvastatin treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The resting release of IL-8 was higher in dyslipidemic patients at baseline when compared with control subjects (p < 0.05). One year of treatment was significantly associated with reduced IL-8 production (p < 0.01). Moreover, the fMLP-induced IL-8 production in dyslipidemic untreated patients was higher than that of controls (p < 0.05) and was reduced after simvastatin treatment (p < 0.01). IL-8 release after 1 year of treatment was reduced to levels which were lower than those observed in control subjects both for resting and stimulated cytokine production (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged treatment with simvastatin is associated with a reduction of IL-8 production, suggesting the possibility of statin to modulate the pro-inflammatory response in PMNs of patients with moderately increased cardiovascular risk.
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Insubria, Viale Borri 57, 21100 Varese, Italy. andrea.maresca@uninsubria.it.
authors.forename: Andrea Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Maresca
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castiglioni
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cosentino
authors.forename: Ramona C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Maio
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schembri
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Klersy
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mongiardi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robustelli Test
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grandi
authors.forename: Luigina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guasti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015536:Down-Regulation; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood*; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; C508606:CXCL8 protein, human; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016209:Interleukin-8; D019821:Simvastatin