High mobility group box 1
protein (
HMGB1) has been identified as a novel pro-inflammatory
cytokine in
coronary artery disease. This study investigated the effect of
atorvastatin on serum
HMGB1 levels in patients with
hyperlipidemia. In 72 patients with
hyperlipidemia, serum total
cholesterol (TC),
triglycerides (TG),
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (
LDL-C) and
high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (
hs-CRP) were compared with the levels in 32 control patients. In hyperlipidemic patients, serum
HMGB1 levels were also determined by ELISA before and after a 3-month treatment of
atorvastatin (20 mg/day). TC and
LDL-C levels in the hyperlipidemic group (6.37±0.94 and 4.99±0.75 mmol/l, respectively) were significantly higher compared to those in the control group (4.34±0.89 and 2.57±0.82 mmol/l, respectively) (both P<0.05).
Hs-CRP and
HMGB1 levels in the hyperlipidemic group (3.91±1.06 mg/l and 5.42±1.56 ng/ml, respectively) were also significantly higher compared to those in the control group (1.53±0.45 mg/l and 2.11±0.95 ng/ml, respectively) (both P<0.05).
After treatment with atorvasatin for three months, TC and
LDL-C levels in the hyperlipidemic group were significantly decreased compared to those prior to treatment (TC, 4.67±0.89 vs. 6.37±0.94 mmol/l and
LDL-C, 2.75±0.92 vs. 4.99±0.75 mmol/l, respectively) (both P<0.05).
HMGB1 and
hs-CRP levels in the hyperlipidemic group (3.07±1.24 ng/ml and 1.87±0.79 mg/l, respectively) were also significantly decreased compared to levels prior to treatment (5.42±1.56 ng/ml and 3.91±1.06 mg/l, respectively) (both P<0.05). Serum
HMGB1 levels are increased in patients with
hyperlipidemia which could be reduced by
atorvastatin.