The effect of different doses of fluvastatin on inflammatory markers in the early phase of acute coronary syndrome

Background: Inflammation promotes acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and ensuing clinical complications. It is well known that statins decrease the risk of coronary events and may benefit the stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque with their anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated the effects of different doses of fluvastatin on serum concentrations of high-sensitive C-reaction protein (hs-CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the early phase of ACS. Methods: We prospectively randomized 60 patients with ACS to 3 groups: (1) group A (n =20): were given routine therapy; (2) group B (n=20): were administrated routine therapy with 40 mg/d oral fluvastatin; (3) group C (n=20): received routine therapy with 80 mg/d oral fluvastatin. Twenty patients with stable coronary heart disease served as controls. The following-tip period was 7 days. By immunoturbidimetric assay and ELISA methods the serum concentrations of hs-CRP and TNF-alpha were measured before and after therapy. Results: (1) The serum concentrations of hs-CRP and TNF-alpha in patients with ACS was significantly higher that] those in the control group (P < 0.05). (2) After I week of therapy, the serum concentrations of hs-CRP and TNF-a were significantly lower in group B and group C (all P < 0.01), especially in group C. (3) The serum concentrations of hs-CRP and TNF-a did not correlate to the concentrations of TC, TG, LDL-C, or HDL-C. Conclusion: Early fluvastatin intervention decreases dose-dependently the serum concentrations of hs-CRP and TNF-alpha of patients with ACS. The high-dose fluvastatin invention may play a stronger anti-inflammatory effect in ACS patients. The anti-inflammatory effect of fluvastatin may be beyond the lipid lowering. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.