Early effects of simvastatin versus atorvastatin on oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines in hyperlipidemic subjects

Angiology. 2006 Mar-Apr;57(2):211-8. doi: 10.1177/000331970605700212.

Abstract

The authors investigated the time-dependent action of atorvastatin and simvastatin on oxidative stress and cytokine levels immediately after the start of treatment. These factors play a role in endothelial dysfunction. Hyperlipidemic patients (n = 132) were assigned to treatment with 40 mg atorvastatin, 40 mg simvastatin, or placebo. Blood samples were taken before, 2 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, and 3 weeks after the administration of the statin or placebo to evaluate serum concentrations of total peroxides (TP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble intercellular vascular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM 1). In the atorvastatin group the TP changes were significantly different at 2 hours and 24 hours (p = 0.005), whereas in the simvastatin group there was a gradual, more or less linear decline in TP until 7 days (p = 0.006) and then a plateau. Simvastatin exhibited a faster statistically significant decrease over time in IL-6 and sICAM 1 levels (at 7 days, p = 0.014 and p = 0.001, respectively). TNF-alpha demonstrated a faster linear trend in the simvastatin group, but the significant effect appeared late (p = 0.006). Both simvastatin and atorvastatin exerted early beneficial effects on oxidative stress, proinflammatory cytokines, and endothelial activation in hyperlipidemic subjects. These effects became significant 2 hours following the initiation of therapy.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atorvastatin
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Cytokines / drug effects
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heptanoic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / blood
  • Hyperlipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / blood
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / drug effects
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Lipid Peroxides / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Simvastatin / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipid Peroxides
  • Pyrroles
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Atorvastatin
  • Simvastatin