Effect of atorvastatin and bezafibrate on plasma levels of C-reactive protein in combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia.

Abstract

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific but sensitive marker of underlying systemic inflammation. High CRP plasma levels correlate with risk for future cardiovascular events. The present study evaluated the effects of atorvastatin (10-40 mg) and bezafibrate (400 mg) on CRP concentrations after 6 and 12 months of treatment in 103 patients with combined (mixed) hyperlipidemia. The number of cardiovascular risk factors present in a given patient was associated with baseline CRP levels. After 6 months and 1 year, atorvastatin treatment was associated with significant (P<0.001) decreases from baseline of CRP concentrations by 29 and 43%, respectively, while bezafibrate-treated patients showed non-significant reductions of 2.3 and 14.6%, respectively (P=0.056 and 0.005 for the respective differences between the two treatment arms at 6 months and 1 year). The magnitude of change in CRP after 1 year was directly related to baseline CRP levels. Covariance analysis showed that CRP decreases in the atorvastatin group were unrelated to total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol reductions; however, they were directly related to triglyceride changes (r=0.28, P=0.047) and inversely related to HDL cholesterol changes (r=-0.28, P=0.045). A model including baseline CRP values and treatment effect showed that atorvastatin use was a significant predictor of change in CRP levels over time (beta=0.82, P=0.023). These results suggest a potential anti-atherosclerotic additional benefit of atorvastatin in patients at a risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Authors: Juan A Gómez-Gerique, Emilio Ros, Josefina Oliván, Jose M Mostaza, Miquel Vilardell, Xavier Pintó, Fernando Civeira, Antonio Hernández, Pedro Marqués da Silva, Antonio Rodriguez-Botaro, Daniel Zambón, Joan Lima, Cristina Díaz, Rosa Aristegui, Josep M Sol, José Chaves, Gonzalo Hernández, ATOMIX Investigators
• Journal: Atherosclerosis (Atherosclerosis) Vol. 162 Issue 2 Pg. 245-51 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 0021-9150 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 11996943 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Cholesterol, HDL
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Heptanoic Acids
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• Hypolipidemic Agents
• Pyrroles
• Triglycerides
• C-Reactive Protein
• Cholesterol
• Atorvastatin
• Bezafibrate

Topics

• Adult
• Atorvastatin
• Bezafibrate (therapeutic use)
• C-Reactive Protein (analysis)
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Cholesterol, HDL (blood)
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Heptanoic Acids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Hyperlipoproteinemia Type V (blood, drug therapy)
• Hypolipidemic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pyrroles (therapeutic use)
• Triglycerides (blood)