title: Atorvastatin calcium in combination with methylprednisolone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis relapse.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of combined atorvastatin calcium and methylprednisolone for the treatment of multiple sclerosis relapse. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the relapse phase were randomized to receive either combined treatment of atorvastatin calcium and methylprednisolone (n = 19) or methylprednisolone alone (n = 19). Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was administered at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment initiation. The number and volume of brain lesions were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and 6 months. The levels of IL-13, IL-35, IFN-γ, and IL-10 in the cerebrospinal fluid were examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. There was no significant difference in EDSS scores at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. At 3 and 6 months, the combined treatment group showed significantly lower EDSS scores than the monotherapy group (P < 0.05). The number and volume of brain lesions in the combined treatment group were significantly lower than the monotherapy group at 6 months (P < 0.001). The mean time to relapse was significantly extended in the combined treatment group than the monotherapy group (P < 0.001). At 2 and 4 weeks, the combined treatment group had significantly higher levels of IL-13, IL-35, and IL-10 in the cerebrospinal fluid than the monotherapy group (P < 0.05), but significantly lower level of IFN-γ (P < 0.001). The levels of IL-13 and IL-10 in the combined treatment group were positively correlated with EDSS scores (r = 0.632, P = 0.001; r = 0.731, P = 0.002). Combined treatment with atorvastatin calcium and methylprednisolone can improve the outcomes of MS relapse compared with glucocorticosteroid alone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-ling
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
authors.forename: Zhen-chang
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
authors.forename: Chun-mei
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
authors.forename: Wen-jing
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China. Electronic address: wmx322@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Man-xia
authors.initials: MX
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D008775:Methylprednisolone
keywords: Atorvastatin calcium; Cytokines; Expanded Disability Status Scale; Glucocorticosteroid; Multiple sclerosis