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simvastatin ; COPD ; inflammation
Abstract:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease characterized by not fully reversible airflow limitation. There is growing evidence that COPD is a risk factor of coronary heart disease. Simvastatin is hypolipemic drug with proved beneficial action in prevention from cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies suggest that statins may be useful in reduction of mortality in COPD. Experimental studies on animals showed positive action of statins on airways inflammation. There are some data about association of interleukin-6 gene polymorphism (174 C/G) with levels of inflammatory markers, lipid profile and cardiovascular risk. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of simvastatin on inflammatory markers in patients with COPD and to assess IL-6 gene polymorphism (174 C/G) in these patients, its impact on inflammatory markers and action of simvastatin. 56 patients with stable COPD, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive simvastatin 40 mg/d and to remain without statins. Blood samples were collected before, 2 weeks and 3 months after starting statin administration. Fibrinogen, CRP, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and MMP-9 levels in blood were measured using standard laboratory methods. IL-6 gene polymorphism (174 C/G) was assessed using polymerase chain reaction. After 3 months of simvastatin treatment no significant reduction of any of studied inflammatory markers was observed. N ; on significant reduction of CRP and IL-6 was observed in subgroup with FEV1>50% during simvastatin treatment. IL-6 gene polymorphism was neither associated with levels of studied inflammatory markers nor with action of simvastatin.