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Pleiotropic effects of simvastatin in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease
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Abstract
Material and methods. Twenty patients with peripheral aterial occlusive disease (PAOD): 10 normocholesterolaemic (NCH) and 10 hypercholesterolaemic (HCH), 41-75 years, old were included in the study. The patients were treated with 40 mg of simvastatin daily for 3 months. At the beginning of the therapy, after one month and three months of treatment lipid levels and clinical investigations were performed. Laboratory estimations were determined before starting therapy and 3 hours after ingestion of simvastatin tablets. The same procedure was repeated after one month and three months of therapy, always 12 hours after the last dose and 3 hours after intake of the tablet.
Results. Simvastatin caused significant reduction of TC, LDL and TG levels in both study groups. No changes in HDL levels were observed. An increase of ABI and FMD in the NCH group were observed. A significant increase of FMD, of pain-free and total walking distances were seen In HCH patients; no changes in ABI were observed. In both study groups significant fibrinolytic and antiplatelet action were observed, more distinct in the HCH group. No changes in the levels of t-PA antigen, RBC deformability and aggregability were seen in both study groups.
Conclusions. Simvastatin therapy caused clinical improvement in PAOD patients independently of its lipid lowering properties. These beneficial simvastatin effects may be related to the pleiotropic action and restoration of endothelial function.
Abstract
Material and methods. Twenty patients with peripheral aterial occlusive disease (PAOD): 10 normocholesterolaemic (NCH) and 10 hypercholesterolaemic (HCH), 41-75 years, old were included in the study. The patients were treated with 40 mg of simvastatin daily for 3 months. At the beginning of the therapy, after one month and three months of treatment lipid levels and clinical investigations were performed. Laboratory estimations were determined before starting therapy and 3 hours after ingestion of simvastatin tablets. The same procedure was repeated after one month and three months of therapy, always 12 hours after the last dose and 3 hours after intake of the tablet.
Results. Simvastatin caused significant reduction of TC, LDL and TG levels in both study groups. No changes in HDL levels were observed. An increase of ABI and FMD in the NCH group were observed. A significant increase of FMD, of pain-free and total walking distances were seen In HCH patients; no changes in ABI were observed. In both study groups significant fibrinolytic and antiplatelet action were observed, more distinct in the HCH group. No changes in the levels of t-PA antigen, RBC deformability and aggregability were seen in both study groups.
Conclusions. Simvastatin therapy caused clinical improvement in PAOD patients independently of its lipid lowering properties. These beneficial simvastatin effects may be related to the pleiotropic action and restoration of endothelial function.
Keywords
simvastatin; peripheral arterial occlusive disease; hypolipaemic and pleiotropic action


Title
Pleiotropic effects of simvastatin in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease
Journal
Issue
Article type
Research paper
Pages
85-96
Published online
2006-08-01
Page views
621
Article views/downloads
1590
Bibliographic record
Acta Angiologica 2006;12(3):85-96.
Keywords
simvastatin
peripheral arterial occlusive disease
hypolipaemic and pleiotropic action
Authors
Krzysztof Bieroń
Lilia Grodzińska
Dorota Starzyk
Aleksandra Goszcz
Magdalena Łomnicka
Ryszard Korbut