Acute Effects of Statins

Molecular pathways involved in the cardioprotective effects of intravenous statin administration during ischemia

The success of therapies targeting myocardial reperfusion injury is limited, while the cardioprotective impact of mitigating ischemia-related damage remains less explored. We have recently shown in a pig model that the intravenous administration of a modified atorvastatin preparation during ischemia attenuates the rise of cardiac ischemia injury biomarkers. In the following study, we sought to investigate the mechanisms behind these ischemia-related cardioprotective effects. Ischemia was induced by 90 min total coronary balloon occlusion in pigs fed a normocholesterolemic regime. Fifteen minutes after the onset of ischemia, animals were randomized to receive intravenous atorvastatin preparation (IV-atorva) or vehicle. After ischemia animals were euthanized to assess the effect of IV-atorva treatment on gene and protein levels/activation of senescence-, apoptosis-, and cardioprotective/metabolic-related markers. Proof-of-concept studies were carried out in mice and rats in which treatments or vehicle were administered 15 min after initiation of ischemia induced by permanent coronary ligation. Western-blot analyses revealed that in the ischemic myocardium of IV-atorva-treated pigs, RhoA was inactivated, phosphorylation of p53 and caspase-3 was reduced and AMPK was activated with the consequent regulation of the mTOR/raptor-signaling pathway. IV-atorva-treated rats showed, as compared to vehicle, a significant reduction (60%) in scar size assessed at 1 month by histological staining, and mice studies demonstrated the causal involvement of AMPK activation in IV-atorva mediated cardioprotective effects. We demonstrate in pigs and rodents that prompt intravenous treatment with atorvastatin during ischemia limits cardiac cell death and reduces infarct size through AMPK signaling.

Analysis of Drug Effects on Primary Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells Activated by Serum Amyloid A

Background

RA patients have a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases compared to the general population. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein, upregulated in sera of RA patients.

Aim

To determine the effects of medications on SAA-stimulated human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC).

Methods

HCAEC were preincubated for 2 h with medications from sterile ampules (dexamethasone, methotrexate, certolizumab pegol, and etanercept), dissolved in medium (captopril) or DMSO (etoricoxib, rosiglitazone, meloxicam, fluvastatin, and diclofenac). Human recombinant apo-SAA was used to stimulate HCAEC at a final 1000 nM concentration for 24 hours. IL-6, IL-8, sVCAM-1, and PAI-1 were measured by ELISA. The number of viable cells was determined colorimetrically.

Results

SAA-stimulated levels of released IL-6, IL-8, and sVCAM-1 from HCAEC were significantly attenuated by methotrexate, fluvastatin, and etoricoxib. Both certolizumab pegol and etanercept significantly decreased PAI-1 by an average of 43%. Rosiglitazone significantly inhibited sVCAM-1 by 58%.

Conclusion

We observed marked influence of fluvastatin on lowering cytokine production in SAA-activated HCAEC. Methotrexate showed strong beneficial effects for lowering released Il-6, IL-8, and sVCAM-1. Interesting duality was observed for NSAIDs, with meloxicam exhibiting opposite-trend effects from diclofenac and etoricoxib. This represents unique insight into specific responsiveness of inflammatory-driven HCAEC relevant to atherosclerosis.

The Effects of Atorvastatin on Inflammatory Responses and Mortality in Septic Shock: A Single-center, Randomized Controlled Trial

AIM OF THE STUDY

Pleiotropic effect of statins can modulate inflammation in septic shock. We tested the hypothesis whether statins can reduce mortality in septic shock.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a randomized double-blinded trial with treatment (40 mg dose of atorvastatin for 7 days) and control (placebo) arm in adult septic shock patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Primary (28-day mortality) and secondary (vasopressor-, ventilation-, and renal replacement therapy-free days) outcomes, with lipid profile and adverse effects, were documented. Inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, tumor-necrosis-factor [TNF]-α, interferon [IFN], and C-reactive protein [CRP]), were also measured before (day 1 [D1]) and after start of trial drug (D4 and D7).

RESULTS

Seventy-three septic shock patients with 36 and 37 included in the atorvastatin and placebo group, respectively. Both groups were equally matched. Twenty-eight-day mortality, event-free days, lipid profile, and adverse effects were also not significantly different between groups. Reduced levels of IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN, and CRP were observed in the atorvastatin group. Also observed were significant day-wise changes in inflammatory biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Atorvastatin-induced changes in inflammatory biomarkers did not confer mortality benefit in septic shock (ClinicalTrials.govNCT02681653).

Statin Recapture Therapy before Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Trial: Rationale and study design of a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded controlled clinical trial

INTRODUCTION

Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are still at significant risk for postoperative major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). Recent clinical evidence shows that cardioprotection in patients receiving a chronic statin treatment can be "recaptured" by a high-dose statin therapy given shortly before an ischemia-reperfusion sequence. Evaluation of this novel therapeutic approach in the setting of CABG seems promising because myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury plays a pivotal role in poor clinical outcomes that may be improved by a simple preoperative statin recapture treatment.

METHODS

The investigator-initiated StaRT-CABG trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, 2-parallel group controlled clinical study in 2,630 patients. The trial aims to evaluate whether a high-dose statin recapture therapy given shortly before CABG reduces the incidence of MACCE at 30 days after surgery (primary composite outcome: all-cause mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular events). Consenting patients who are on chronic statin therapy before surgery will be randomized to receive either oral statin reloading therapy or matching placebo 12 and 2 hours before CABG. Key secondary end points include enzymatic myocardial injury; new-onset atrial fibrillation; length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital; need for repeat coronary revascularization at 30 days; and, finally, all-cause mortality at 12 months after surgery.

IMPLICATIONS

The StaRT-CABG trial is expected to provide highly relevant clinical data on the efficacy of this novel therapeutic approach to optimize the care for patients with coronary artery disease undergoing CABG.

Comparison of the effect of minocycline and simvastatin on functional recovery and gene expression in a rat traumatic brain injury model

The goal of this study was to compare the effects of minocycline and simvastatin on functional recovery and brain gene expression after a cortical contusion impact (CCI) injury. Dosage regimens were designed to provide serum concentrations in a rat model in the range obtained with clinically approved doses; minocycline 60 mg/kg q12h and simvastatin 10 mg/kg q12h for 72 h. Functional recovery was assessed using motor and spatial learning tasks and neuropathological measurements. Microarray-based transcriptional profiling was used to determine the effect on gene expression at 24 h, 72 h, and 7 days post-CCI. Gene Ontology analysis (GOA) was used to evaluate the effect on relevant biological pathways. Both minocycline and simvastatin improved fine motor function, but not gross motor or cognitive function. Minocycline modestly decreased lesion size with no effect of simvastatin. At 24 h post-CCI, GOA identified a significant effect of minocycline on chemotaxis, blood circulation, immune response, and cell to cell signaling pathways. Inflammatory pathways were affected by minocycline only at the 72 h time point. There was a minimal effect of simvastatin on gene expression 24 h after injury, with increasing effects at 72 h and 7 days. GOA identified a significant effect of simvastatin on inflammatory response at 72 h and 7 days. In conclusion, treatment with minocycline and simvastatin resulted in significant effects on gene expression in the brain reflecting adequate brain penetration without producing significant neurorestorative effects.

The differential effects of statins on the risk of developing pancreatic cancer: a case-control study in two centres in the United Kingdom

INTRODUCTION

There are plausible biological mechanisms for how statins may prevent pancreatic cancer, although the evidence from epidemiological studies in the general population is conflicting. This study aims to clarify whether statins exert their effects in specific sub-groups, namely, gender, smoking status and diabetes.

METHODS

A matched case-control study was conducted in patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and a group of dermatology patients of similar ages and gender, diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma. Participants' medical records were reviewed for information on statin use prior to diagnosis. Odds ratios and 95 % CIs for the development of pancreatic cancer were estimated using conditional logistic regression. Subgroup analysis was performed in men, women, smokers and those with type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-two cases (median age 71 years, range 48-73 years, 51 % women) and 504 controls were identified, of which 23 % of cases were regular statin users versus 21 % of controls. In the general study population there was no association between pancreatic cancer and regular statin use (OR 0.82, 95 % CI 0.53-1.23, p = 0.33). However, in male smokers, regular statin use was associated with significantly reduced odds of pancreatic cancer compared to male smokers not prescribed a statin (OR 0.11, 95 % CI 0.01-0.96, p = 0.05). In patients with type 2 diabetes statins use was not associated with reduced odds (OR 0.92, 95 % CI 0.35-2.45, p = 0.80), with no gender effects.

CONCLUSIONS

In male smokers, statins may reduce the odds of pancreatic cancer. Statin use should be measured in aetiological studies of pancreatic cancer but analysed in specific sub-groups. Future work should investigate statins as chemopreventative agents in this high risk sub-group.