Atorvastatin treatment decreases inflammatory and proteolytic activity in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

Background: Statins have anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet effects, which are known as non-lipid effects. Statin treatment can decrease endogenous inflammatory response.
Aim: To study the effects of atorvastatin on matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) - markers of the proteinolytic and inflammatory activity.
Methods: In this prospective study 44 patients with hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned into 2 groups; Group 1 (n=22) treated with atorvastatin and diet for 2 months, and Group 2 (n=22) - diet alone. MMP-9 and hs-CRP were measured at baseline and two months later.
Results: Groups were matched for age, sex and baseline characteristics. Lipid levels decreased by 32% (LDL from 153.9±26.6 to 94.5±20.8 mg/dl, p<0.005) in the atorvastatin group and by 9% in the diet alone group. Atorvastatin lowered plasma CRP from 5.16±1.9 to 2.88±1.06 mg/L (p<0.001) and MMP-9 activity from 64.3±28.1 to 35.4±20.0 ng/ml (p<0.0001). Atorvastatin-induced reductions in CRP and MMP-9 were greater than in the diet alone group. MMP-9 levels did not show significant changes in Group 2 after two months of diet.
Conclusions: Atorvastatin treatment decreases inflammatory and proteolytic activity in patients with hypercholesterolemia.