Abstract
Objective
C-reactive protein (CRP), lipoprotein (a)[Lp(a)], and fibrinogen are associated with systemic inflammatory reactions. Statins have anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of statins on these parameters is inconsistent. We evaluated the effect of statins on inflammatory markers and variables related to changes in these markers.
Methods
A total of 390 hypercholesterolemic patients were enrolled. Atorvastatin (n=112), lovastatin (n=25), pitavastatin (n=49), rosuvastatin (n=20), and simvastatin (n=184) were administered. Lipids, CRP, Lp(a), and fibrinogen levels were measured before and after 2 months of the therapy.
Results
Statins reduced cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by -28.9±9.1% (P=0.000), -41.4±12.4% (P=0.000), and -11.6±39.4% (P=0.000), respectively and increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level by 2.56±13.2% (P=0.014). CRP levels decreased from 1.23±1.30 to 1.14±1.29 mg/L (P=0.000). Lp(a) levels were not changed (P=0.91) and fibrinogen levels increased from 277.8±54.4 to 282.6±56.9 mg/dL (P=0.042). Changes in CRP levels were associated with baseline CRP levels (r=-0.56, P=0.000) and changes in HDL cholesterol levels (r=-0.14, P=0.005). Changes in Lp(a) levels were associated with changes in triglyceride (r=-0.24, P=0.000) and baseline aspartate aminotransferase level (r=0.12, P=0.015). Changes in fibrinogen levels were associated with baseline fibrinogen levels (r=-0.40, P=0.000), sex (r=0.18, P=0.001), and changes in HDL cholesterol levels (r=-0.15, P=0.003).
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