The Pleoitropic Effects of Atorvastatin in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: the Influence on the Indicators of Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the dynamics of the markers of oxidative stress in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during the application of atorvastatin. Material and methods. The study included 52 COPD patients with concomitant hyperlipidemia. The main group (n = 30) were given atorvastatin at a dosage of 20 mg per day in addition to the standard COPD treatment. The comparison group (n = 22) only underwent the standard COPD treatment. The patients were monitored for 24 weeks. The levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and malondialdehyde were evaluated for the assessment of oxidative stress. Results. In the group of the patients taking atorvastatin, the level of superoxide dismutase decreased from 949 [608; 1042] units/ml initially to 406 [319; 478] u/ml after 24 weeks (p = 0.035). The levels of catalase and malondialdehyde did not change significantly both in the experimental and comparison groups. Conclusion. The intake of atorvastatin decreases the level of superoxide dismutase, which may indicate a decrease in the level of oxidative stress in COPD patients.