Anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin in subjects with hypercholesterolemia

Aims: Beneficial effects of statins in preventing cardiovascular events may depend, at least in part, on their anti-inflammatory action. The aim of th e study was to assess the influence of simvastatin and aspirin on serum lev els of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) an d interleukin-6 (IL-6) in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Methods and result s: In 33 asymptomatic men with total cholesterol (TC) >6.5 mmol l(-1) and i n 25 men with coronary heart disease and borderline-high cholesterol levels (between 5.2 and 6.5 mmol l(-1)) chronically treated with low-dose aspirin (75 mg/d), serum levels of CRP, TNF-alpha, 1L-6, and IL-8 were determined before and after a 3-month simvastatin therapy (20-40 mg daily). In the For mer group, these markers of inflammation were also measured before and afte r a 2-week treatment with aspirin (300 mg/d), implemented prior to and in c ombination with simvastatin. A distinct reduction of CRP and TNF-alpha was found in both groups; IL-6 levels were decreased only in subjects with mark ed hypercholesterolemia. Aspirin had no effect on the anti-inflammatory act ion of simvastatin. Conclusions: In men with hypercholesterolemia simvastat in treatment lowers serum levels of CRP and proinflammatory cytokines. Low- dose aspirin does not add to the anti-inflammatory action of simvastatin. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.