title: Anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic effects of atorvastatin in acute ischemic stroke.
abstract: Atorvastatin decreases inflammation and thrombogenesis in patients with carotid artery plaque. Atorvastatin is administered to lower lipid levels, but its anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombogenic effects remain unclear. Eighty-nine patients from northeastern China with acute ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherosclerosis were randomly divided into the study and control groups. All patients received routine treatment, including antiplatelet therapy, circulatory support, and symptomatic treatment. The study group (n = 43) also received daily atorvastatin 20 mg/d, and the control group (n = 46) received daily placebo pills containing glucose. After 4 weeks, the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. Decreases in the levels of C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were not associated with decreases in the levels of triacylglycerol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These results suggest that atorvastatin reduces inflammation and thrombogenesis independent of its lipid-lowering effects in patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large-artery atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Lianqiu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Liaoyang Central Hospital, Liaoyang 111000, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoning
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Fuxin No.2 People's Hospital, Fuxin 123000, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cong
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Haiping
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.
authors.forename: Yumin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
keywords: C-reactive protein; D-dimer; atorvastatin; brain injury; fibrinogen; grants-supported paper; inflammation; ischemic stroke; large-artery atherosclerosis; low-density lipo-protein cholesterol; neural regeneration; neuroregeneration; thrombus; triacylglycerol