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Effect of Atorvastatin Versus Rosuvastatin on Levels of Serum Lipids, Inflammatory Markers and Adiponectin in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia

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Abstract

Purpose

To compare the short-term effect of treatment with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on levels of serum lipids, inflammatory markers and adiponectin in patients with hypercholesterolemia.

Methods

Sixty-nine patients with hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg/day of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin for 12 weeks. Inflammatory biomarkers, including highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and endothelin (ET-1), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and plasma tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), adiponectin, and lipid profiles were measured before and after statin therapy.

Results

Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin both lowered levels of hs-CRP, MMP-9, PAI-1, total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline values, with rosuvastatin lowering TC and LDL-C to a greater extent than atorvastatin (P < 0.05). Adiponectin level increase was 15% higher than that at baseline with atorvastatin (P > 0.05) but 67% higher with rosuvastatin (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Therapy with both statins not only significantly improved lipid profiles but also decreased levels of vascular biomarkers hs-CRP, MMP-9, and PAI-1; however, only rosuvastatin increased serum adiponectin levels significantly in patients with hypercholesterolemia, which could imply a beneficial effect in coronary artery disease.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by The National Basic Research Program (973 Program) 2006CB503803 and HI-TECH Technique and Development Program of China (863 Program) 2007AA02Z448.

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  1. The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Public Health, Shandong University Qilu Hospital, No. 107#, Wenhua West Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, People’s Republic of China

    Hai-yan Qu, Ya-wei Xiao, Gui-hua Jiang, Zhi-yun Wang, Yun Zhang & Mei Zhang

  2. Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital, No. 46#, Lishan Road, Jinan, Shandong, 250013, People’s Republic of China

    Hai-yan Qu

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Qu, Hy., Xiao, Yw., Jiang, Gh. et al. Effect of Atorvastatin Versus Rosuvastatin on Levels of Serum Lipids, Inflammatory Markers and Adiponectin in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia. Pharm Res 26, 958–964 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-008-9798-6

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