Improvement of arterial stiffness by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of short-term statin therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Abstract

The preventive effect of statins on coronary events is not only associated with the cholesterol-lowering effect of these drugs, but also various direct effects on the vascular wall, which include improvement of endothelial function, antioxidant activity, and anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated whether short-term statin therapy could improve arterial stiffness and assessed its mechanism of action in patients with hypercholesterolemia. We assessed arterial stiffness in 10 patients (mean age: 62.9 +/- 9.0 years) with hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > or =220 mg/dl). The patients were treated with cerivastatin (0.15 mg/day) for 4 weeks. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, we determined arterial stiffness from brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and the ankle-brachial blood pressure index (ABI) using a FORM apparatus (Colin, Komaki, Japan). We also measured the blood levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and malondialdehyde low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) as markers of inflammation and oxidation, respectively. After statin therapy, both the right and left abPWV were significantly decreased from 1544.6 +/- 157.1 to 1349.0 +/- 223.9 cm/s and from 1592.1 +/- 164.8 to 1424.8 +/- 245.2 cm/s, respectively (P < 0.05). However, the ABI was unchanged after 4 weeks of cerivastatin therapy. MDA-LDL decreased significantly (from 161.2 +/- 42.4 to 119.4 +/- 33.5 U/l, P < 0.05) and hsCRP also decreased. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol decreased, while triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were unchanged. Blood pressure was not significantly altered from the baseline value by statin therapy. These results suggest that the preventive effect of statins on coronary events is partly associated with the various actions of these drugs on the vascular wall, and that statins are not only cholesterol-lowering agents but also antiatherosclerotic agents.

Protective Effects of Efonidipine, a T- and L-Type Calcium Channel Blocker, on Renal Function and Arterial Stiffness in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Hypertension and Nephropathy

“…Furthermore, several reports indicate that statins improve oxidative stress 47,48) . So, statins might expect to improve CAVI although there are still no reports about the effects of statins on CAVI.…”

Arterial Stiffness and Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Therapy in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Results With Long-Term Two Year-Follow-Up

“…To the best of our knowledge, although similar studies using biological agents 25 in AS therapy failed to demonstrate significant improvement in arterial stiffness, there are reports indicating that therapy, life style changes and invasive procedures may successfully reduce arterial stiffness. 11,12 It has been shown that atorvastatin improves arterial stiffness through reduction of oxidative stress. 28 We previously revealed that anti-TNF-a therapy reduces oxidative stress in patients with AS.…”

“…10 Hence, PWV value has been used as an index for CV improvement following different treatment modalities in variety of conditions. 11,12 Our previous study revealed that PWV was higher in AS patients than in the control group. 8 Anti-TNF-a therapy has been associated with dramatic improvements in the clinical signs and symptoms of AS.…”

The Possible Influence of Bisphosphonate Therapy and Its Combination With Statins on Parameters of Aortic Stiffness in Women With Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

“…в настоящее время достигнуты большие успехи по влиянию лекарственных препаратов различных групп на эластиче-ские свойства артерий, в том числе статинов [17][18][19][20]. однако продолжается поиск веществ, способных воздействовать на жесткость сосудистой стенки, что возможно, откроет новые перспективы в изучении механизмов ее увеличения.…”

“…в настоящее время по результатам некоторых исследо-ваний имеются данные об улучшении эластических свойств артериальной стенки на фоне терапии статинами у пациен-тов с гиперлипидемией [17][18][19][20]. в нашем исследовании не выявлено взаимосвязи динамики спвкф с изменениями со-держания липидов в сыворотке крови.…”