Statin therapy: does sex matter?

Statin use and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus in women after menopause

Menopause is associated with adverse cardiometabolic changes which increase the risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are widely used for primary and secondary CVD prevention, given their beneficial effects on the lipid profile and the vessel wall. On the other hand, statins increase the risk of T2DM. This association has been evaluated mainly in mixed-gender studies, without gender-specific evaluation. This narrative review evaluates the use of statins and the related risk of new-onset T2DM among postmenopausal women. Studies that incorporated a gender-specific analysis report a higher risk of new-onset T2DM in women than in men on treatment with statins. Fewer studies evaluated female-only samples; these confirm the observed association between statin use and new-onset T2DM. Factors influencing the association between statin use and T2DM include the type and dose of statin and the baseline metabolic status. Women may benefit from stratification of their metabolic risk before initiating a statin for CVD prevention.

Menopausal hormone therapy and coronary heart disease: the roller-coaster history

In the USA it is estimated that more than one million women become menopausal each year. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in menopausal woman globally. The majority of perimenopausal to postmenopausal women experience bothersome symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood liability, sleep disturbances, irregular bleeding and sexual dysfunction. While menopausal hormone therapy (HT) effectively treats most of these symptoms, use of HT has become confusing, especially related to CHD risk. Despite years of observational and retrospective studies supporting a CHD benefit and improved survival among HT users, the Heart and Estrogen/Progestin Replacement Study (HERS) and the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) raised doubts about this long-held premise. The timing hypothesis has since emerged and states that when HT is initiated in younger women, soon after menopause onset, there may be cardiovascular benefit. The following review discusses the roller-coaster history of HT use as it pertains to CHD in postmenopausal women. Studies that highlight HT's CHD benefit are reviewed and provide reassurance that HT utilized in appropriately selected younger postmenopausal women close to the onset of menopause is safe from a cardiovascular perspective, in line with consensus recommendations.

LDL-cholesterol target levels achievement in high-risk patients: An (un)expected gender bias

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention. Collection of epidemiological data is crucial for monitoring healthcare appropriateness. This analysis aimed to evaluate the proportion of high-risk patients who achieved guidelines recommended LDL-C goal, and explore the predictors of therapeutic failure, with a focus on the role of gender.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Health administrative and laboratory data from seven Local Health Districts in Tuscany were collected for residents aged ≥45 years with a history of major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event (MACCE) and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from January 1, 2019, to January 1, 2021. The study aimed to assess the number of patients with optimal levels of LDL-C (<55 mg/dl for patients with MACCE and <70 mg/dl for patients with T2DM without MACCE). A cohort of 174 200 individuals (55% males) was analyzed and it was found that 11.6% of them achieved the target LDL-C levels. Female gender was identified as an independent predictor of LDL-C target underattainment in patients with MACCE with or without T2DM, after adjusting for age, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, and district area (adjusted-IRR 0.58 ± 0.01; p < 0.001). This result was consistent in subjects without lipid-lowering therapies (adjusted-IRR 0.56 ± 0.01; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In an unselected cohort of high-risk individuals, females have a significantly lower probability of reaching LDL-C recommended targets. These results emphasize the need for action to implement education for clinicians and patients and to establish clinical care pathways for high-risk patients, with a special focus on women.

Impact of statin use on breast cancer recurrence and mortality before and after diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death among women. Statins, typically used for cholesterol management, have been hypothesized to reduce recurrence and mortality rates in breast cancer. However, this association remains a subject of debate. This study evaluates the potential impact of statins on breast cancer recurrence and mortality.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases for articles published up to June 2023. These articles examined the effect of statins on breast cancer recurrence and mortality both before and after diagnosis. The analysis was performed using random-effects models, calculating pooled hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

A total of 31 cohort studies, involving 261,834 female breast cancer patients, were included in this analysis. It was found that statin use prior to diagnosis was associated with a decrease in overall mortality (HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.69-0.93; I2 = 77.6%; P = 0.001) and breast cancer-specific mortality (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67-0.87; I2 = 72.7%; P = 0.005). Additionally, statin use after diagnosis was observed to reduce the recurrence of breast cancer (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.61-0.82; I2 = 60%; P = 0.003), overall mortality (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.70-0.92; I2 = 80.7%; P < 0.001), and breast cancer-specific mortality (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67-0.86; I2 = 74.5%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The findings of this study indicate that statin usage, both before and after breast cancer diagnosis, may be associated with reduced risks of overall and breast cancer-specific mortality, as well as lower recurrence rates.

Statin protects men but not women with HIV against loss of muscle mass, strength, and physical function: a pilot study

Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs commonly used among people with HIV, associated with an increased risk of myopathies. Considering that cardiovascular disease, statin therapy, and sarcopenia are independently prevalent in people with HIV, clarity on the potential benefits or harms of statin therapy on muscle health is useful to provide insight into ways to maximize skeletal muscle health and minimize CVD risk in this population. We aimed to study the effects of statin therapy on strength, muscle mass, and physical function parameters in people with HIV. This was a pilot cross-sectional study. People with HIV on continuous statin therapy (n = 52) were paired 1:1 according to age (people with HIV 53.9 ± 8.2 and people with HIV on statins 53.9 ± 8.4 years), sex, body mass index (Body mass index, people with HIV 28.6 ± 5.3 and people with HIV on statins 28.8 ± 6.3 kg/m²), and race with people with HIV not using statin (n = 52). Participants were evaluated for muscle strength (i.e. handgrip strength), lean and fat body mass (using bioelectric impedance analysis), and physical function (i.e. Short Physical Performance Battery-SPPB). Isokinetic strength and appendicular lean mass (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), more accurate strength and body composition measures, were determined in 38% of the participants. Overall, statin usage does not exacerbated loss of muscle strength (32.2 ± 11.5 vs. 30.3 ± 9.6 kg, p > 0.05) muscle mass (7.6 ± 1.8 vs. 7.7 ± 1.1 kg/m², p > 0.05), and impaired physical performance (10.1 ± 1.8 vs. 9.7 ± 2.1 points, p > 0.05) of PLWH. When analyzed by sex, men living with HIV on statins usage presented higher appendicular muscle mass (28.4 ± 3.1 vs. 26.2 ± 4.9 kg, p < 0.05) handgrip strength (42.1 ± 8.8 vs. 37.1 ± 8.3 kg, p < 0.05) and physical function through SPPB score (10.9 ± 1.3 vs. 9.5 ± 2.1, p < 0.05) than men living with HIV not on statins treatment. The same protection was not observed in women. This data was demonstrated when muscle mass and strength were determined clinically (i.e. handgrip strength and electrical impedance) and when more precise laboratory measurements of muscle mass and strength were conducted (i.e. isokinetic strength and DXA scans). Statin does not exacerbate muscle wasting, strength loss, or muscle dysfunction among people with HIV. Indeed, statins may protect men, but not woman with HIV against HIV and antiretroviral therapy-induced loss of muscle mass and strength.

Cardiovascular disease preventive effects of aspirin combined with different statins in the United States general population

The purpose of this study was to explore the use of aspirin in conjunction with various statins for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention in the general population of the United States (U.S.). A total of 3778 people from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2011 to 2018 were included in our analysis. After adjusting for sociodemographic and common cardiovascular risk factors, we used multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine aspirin should be combined with which type of statin for better CVD preventive effects. Subgroup analyses were carried out subsequently. In comparison to the aspirin use alone, the odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for CVD were 0.43 (0.33, 0.57), 0.69 (0.42, 1.13), 0.44 (0.31, 0.62), 0.34 (0.23, 0.50) and 0.64 (0.49, 0.84) for the combination use of aspirin and atorvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin as well as simvastatin, respectively, in the fully-adjusted model. Aspirin combined with rosuvastatin was more effective in the prevention of individual CVD, including congestive heart failure, coronary heart disease, angina pectoris and heart attack, than aspirin combined with other statins. In conclusion, statins combined with aspirin have a clear advantage over aspirin alone in preventing CVD. In addition, when various sex, age, and fitness levels were considered, as well as with and without diabetes mellitus, the combination usage of aspirin and rosuvastatin had the greatest CVD preventive effects than aspirin coupled with other statins.

Systematic review on sex differences for drug use after stroke

INTRODUCTION

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have synthetized the existing knowledge on sex-differences for the risk of stroke, the most recent ones highlighting an increased risk of stroke for women. However, whether there are sex differences in post stroke treatment in real world setting is not known. We therefore conducted a systematic review on this subject.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All observational studies on sex-differences in poststroke drug use published until 20/04/2021 were identified from PubMed and Scopus. Articles were selected and assessed by two independent readers; a third resolved disagreements. Data extraction was performed using a standardized form; articles quality was assessed using the STROBE guidelines. The study is registered on PROSPERO: CRD42021250256.

RESULTS

Of the 604 identified articles, 33 were included. Most were published before 2015 and presented methodological limitations. These limitations differentially affected studies with statistically significant and non-significant results, questioning the reliability of conflicting results. The exploration of sex-differences in drug use varied between therapeutic classes (articles focusing on thrombolytics: 25; antithrombotics: 23; on antihypertensive: 13; lipid-lowering drugs: 9). After stroke, women were found less likely to be prescribed antithrombotics in 48% of the articles investigating this class, and lipid-lowering drugs in 56%. Thirty-one percent of the studies concerning antihypertensive drugs reported the opposite.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

In women, a lack of use of antithrombotics and lipid-lowering drugs after stroke seem to emerge from this review. Conflicting results regarding sex-differences might relate to methodological limitations in studies with no statistical differences, and advocate for the conduct of newer and more comprehensive research.

Cholesterol Management in Neurology: Time for Revised Strategies?

Statin therapy has been extensively evaluated and shown to reduce the incidence of new or recurrent vascular events, ischemic stroke included. As a consequence, each published guideline pushes for lower low-density cholesterol levels in the population at large, recommending increased statin doses and/or adding new cholesterol-lowering molecules. Neurologists find it sometimes difficult to apply these guidelines, having to confront situations such as (1) ischemic strokes, mainly cardioembolic ones, in patients with already low LDL-cholesterol levels; (2) myasthenic patients, whose lifespan has been extended by available treatment, and whose age and cholesterol levels put them at risk for ischemic stroke; (3) patients with myotonic dystrophy, whose disease often associates diabetes mellitus and heart conduction defects, and in whom blood cholesterol management is also not settled. As such, further trials are needed to address these issues.

Real-world safety of PCSK9 inhibitors: A pharmacovigilance study based on spontaneous reports in FAERS

Objective: We aimed to evaluate alirocumab- and evolocumab-related adverse events (AEs) in real-world compared with all other drugs, overall and by gender and age subgroups; we also aimed to compare their risks of cognitive impairment, musculoskeletal disorders and diabetes with various statins and ezetimibe. Methods: We retrospectively extracted AE reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database during July 2015-June 2021. Disproportionality analyses were performed using reporting odds ratios (RORs) to detect AE signals of alirocumab and evolocumab in the overall population and in different age and gender subgroups, respectively. Results: Compared with all other drugs, both alirocumab and evolocumab had a significant signal in "musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders" (ROR₁ = 2.626, 95% CI 2.552-2.702; ROR2 = 2.575, 95% CI 2.538-2.613). The highest ROR value of 2.311 (95% CI 2.272-2.351) was for "injury, poisoning and procedural complications" and was found in patients aged ≥65 years on evolocumab. The most frequent AEs were "general disorders and administration site conditions" and "musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders" for all subpopulations. At the preferred term level, the most frequent AE signal was myalgia for alirocumab and injection site pain for evolocumab, overall and by subgroups. Compared with statins/ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors exhibited lower ROR values for adverse events associated with SOC "nervous system disorders", "psychiatric disorders" and "metabolism and nutrition disorders" (all RORs < 1), but mixed results for musculoskeletal disorders. Compared with all other drugs, undocumented AEs, such as acute cardiac event (ROR = 30.0, 95% CI 9.4-95.3) and xanthoma (ROR = 9.3, 95% CI 3.4-25.5), were also reported. Conclusion: Real-world evidence showed that PCSK9 inhibitors were associated with an increased risk of musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders and general disorders and administration site conditions, overall and by subgroups. Muscle toxicity, injection site reactions, and influenza-like illness were significant AE signals. Compared with various statins and ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors have shown a favorable safety profile in muscle-related events, cognitive impairment and diabetes. Some undocumented AE signals were also reported. Due to the limitations of spontaneous reporting databases, further studies are still needed to establish causality and validate our results.

Polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein E gene affect response to atorvastatin therapy in acute ischemic stroke

Background

Polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are related to the efficacy of statin therapy. The biological functions of the APOE subtypes determine the metabolism of blood plasma lipids and the progression of atherosclerosis. This study aimed to explore the impact of APOE gene polymorphisms on the effect of atorvastatin on lipid regulation and plaque stabilization.

Methods

The study was a prospective cohort study that consecutively included patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in the Department of Neurology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, from December 2018 to December 2019. The patients were divided into E2, E3, and E4 groups according to their APOE genotype. Atorvastatin (20 mg) was administrated to all patients. Changes in blood lipid levels over 3 months and plaque size and stability over 12 months were analyzed.

Results

We enrolled 253 consecutive patients with AIS, of whom, 136 had carotid atherosclerotic plaques. Two patients with genotype E2/E4 were excluded. There were 30 patients in the E2 group (12.0%), 191 patients in the E3 group (76.0%), and 30 patients in the E4 group (12.0%). The lowest percentage reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed in the E4 group (41.2%), while the highest percentage reduction was observed in the E2 group (17.6%). The plaques in the E2 group showed slower progression, while those in the E4 group showed more rapid progression.

Conclusion

APOE gene polymorphisms affect the biological functions of atorvastatin. Compared to the ε3 or ε4 allele, the ε2 allele exerted a greater lipid-lowering effect on LDL-C levels, enhanced the ability of atorvastatin to stabilize carotid artery plaques, and slowed carotid artery plaque progression.

Statins and cognition: Modifying factors and possible underlying mechanisms

Statins are a class of widely prescribed drugs used to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and important to prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Most statin users are older adults with CVD, who are also at high risk of cognitive decline. It has been suggested that statins can alter cognitive performance, although their positive or negative effects are still debated. With more than 200 million people on statin therapy worldwide, it is crucial to understand the reasons behind discrepancies in the results of these studies. Here, we review the effects of statins on cognitive function and their association with different etiologies of dementia, and particularly, Alzheimer’s disease (AD). First, we summarized the main individual and statin-related factors that could modify the cognitive effects of statins. Second, we proposed the underlying mechanisms for the protective and adverse effects of statins on cognitive performance. Finally, we discussed potential causes of discrepancies between studies and suggested approaches to improve future studies assessing the impact of statins on dementia risk and cognitive function.

Effect of statins combined or not combined with metformin on polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of statins combined or not combined with metformin on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Databases were systematically searched from inception to February 2022. Meta-analysis was conducted by using STATA 12.0 software. In the study, standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed as the effect size. A random effect model was used.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis showed significant decline of total testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, luteinizing hormone (LH), LH to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio, and prolactin in statin group. Our study also demonstrated significant decline of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides in statin group. Moreover, we found significant decline of fasting glucose, insulin sensitivity index, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis showed that statin therapy was good for women with PCOS, and could improve clinical signs of PCOS.

Effect of Statins on Lung Cancer Molecular Pathways: A Possible Therapeutic Role

Lung cancer is a common neoplasm, usually treated through chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or surgery. Both clinical and experimental studies on cancer cells suggest that some drugs (e.g., statins) have the potential to improve the prognosis of cancer. In fact, statins blocking the enzyme "hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase" exert pleiotropic effects on different genes involved in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. In this narrative review, we presented the experimental and clinical studies that evaluated the effects of statins on lung cancer and described data on the effectiveness and safety of these compounds. We also evaluated gender differences in the treatment of lung cancer to understand the possibility of personalized therapy based on the modulation of the mevalonate pathway. In conclusion, according to the literature data, statins exert multiple effects on lung cancer cells, even if the evidence for their use in clinical practice is lacking.

Effect of statins use on risk and prognosis of breast cancer: a meta-analysis

The findings regarding the association between statins use and breast cancer are inconsistent. Given the widely and long-term use of statins as first choice drug for dyslipidemia, we conducted this meta-analysis for better understanding the associations between statins use and the risk and prognosis of breast cancer. Articles regarding effect of statins use on risk, prognosis of breast cancer and published before January 2021 were searched in the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Medline and Google Scholar. Odds ratios (ORs)/relative risks (RRs) or hazard ratios (HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed to generate a pooled effect size and 95% CI. The meta-analysis showed no significant association between statins use and risk of breast cancer (OR/RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.97-1.08; I2 = 76.1%; P < 0.001). The meta-analysis showed that statins use was associated with lower breast cancer recurrence, all-cause mortality and disease-specific mortality (breast cancer recurrence: HR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67-0.84; I2 = 31.7%; P = 0.154; all-cause mortality: HR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.77-0.89; I2 = 67.5%; P < 0.001; and disease-specific mortality: HR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.72-0.93; I2 = 83.6%; P < 0.001). Overall, in this report we demonstrated that the use of statins can improve the prognosis of breast cancer patients including lower risks of breast cancer recurrence, all-cause and cancer-specific mortality, though statins therapy may not have an impact on reducing the risk of breast cancer.

The Risk Factors of Blood Cadmium Elevation in Chronic Kidney Disease

Low-level cadmium exposure has adverse effects on chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the risk factors for elevated blood cadmium levels (BCLs) have not been studied in CKD. We conducted a cross-sectional investigation in 200 CKD patients and stratified them by the tertiles of BCL to compare their demographic, environmental, and biochemical data. The factors associated with BCL were identified, and their effects were examined in subgroups. In the analyses, female sex, smoking, and CKD stage 5D were associated with high BCL, and statin was inversely correlated with BCL (odds ratio [95% confidence interval, CI], 6.858 [2.381–19.746], p < 0.001, 11.719 [2.843–48.296], p = 0.001, 30.333 [2.252–408.520], p = 0.010, and 0.326 [0.122–0.873], p = 0.026; deviations of BCL [nmol/L, 95% CI], 2.66 [1.33–4.00], p < 0.001, 3.68 [1.81–5.56], p < 0.001, 3.38 [0.95–5.82], p = 0.007, and −2.07 [−3.35–−0.78], p = 0.002). These factors were also independently correlated with BCL in subgroups, including non-dialysis CKD, hypertensive patients, non-smokers, and male patients. In conclusion, female sex, smoking, and CKD stage 5D were the major risk factors for elevated BCL; additionally, statins were negatively associated with BCL in CKD.

Pharmaceutical therapeutics for articular regeneration and restoration: state-of-the-art technology for screening small molecular drugs

Articular cartilage damage caused by sports injury or osteoarthritis (OA) has gained increased attention as a worldwide health burden. Pharmaceutical treatments are considered cost-effective means of promoting cartilage regeneration, but are limited by their inability to generate sufficient functional chondrocytes and modify disease progression. Small molecular chemical compounds are an abundant source of new pharmaceutical therapeutics for cartilage regeneration, as they have advantages in design, fabrication, and application, and, when used in combination, act as powerful tools for manipulating cellular fate. In this review, we present current achievements in the development of small molecular drugs for cartilage regeneration, particularly in the fields of chondrocyte generation and reversion of chondrocyte degenerative phenotypes. Several clinically or preclinically available small molecules, which have been shown to facilitate chondrogenesis, chondrocyte dedifferentiation, and cellular reprogramming, and subsequently ameliorate cartilage degeneration by targeting inflammation, matrix degradation, metabolism, and epigenetics, are summarized. Notably, this review introduces essential parameters for high-throughput screening strategies, including models of different chondrogenic cell sources, phenotype readout methodologies, and transferable advanced systems from other fields. Overall, this review provides new insights into future pharmaceutical therapies for cartilage regeneration.

Association between Osteoporosis and Previous Statin Use: A Nested Case-Control Study

The relationship between statin use and osteoporosis is controversial; therefore, this study aimed to investigate this association. The ≥40-year-old population of the Korean National Health Insurance Service Health Screening Cohort was enrolled. The 68,592 osteoporosis patients were matched 1:1 with control participants for age, sex, income, and region of residence using propensity score matching. The histories of statin use for two years before the diagnosis of osteoporosis (index date) in the osteoporosis and control groups were compared using conditional/unconditional logistic regression. An increased number of days of statin use was not associated with osteoporosis (adjusted OR (aOR) = 0.97, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.94–1.00, p = 0.052). In the subgroup analyses, a large number of days of statin use was related to a reduced rate of osteoporosis in the <60-year-old female group, while the opposite was true in the ≥60-year-old female group. Both lipophilic and hydrophilic statins were related to a decreased rate of osteoporosis in the <60-year-old female group. Lipophilic statins, but not hydrophilic statins, were associated with an increased rate of osteoporosis in the ≥60-year-old female group. Statin use showed different associations in middle-aged and elderly women.

Improving clinical outcomes through attention to sex and hormones in research

Biological sex, fluctuations in sex steroid hormones throughout life and gender as a social construct all influence every aspect of health and disease. Yet, for decades, most basic and clinical studies have included only male individuals. As modern health care moves towards personalized medicine, it is clear that considering sex and hormonal status in basic and clinical studies will bring precision to the development of novel therapeutics and treatment paradigms. To this end, funding, regulatory and policy agencies now require inclusion of female animals and women in basic and clinical studies. However, inclusion of female animals and women often does not mean that information regarding potential hormonal interactions with pharmacological treatments or clinical outcomes is available. All sex steroid hormones can interact with receptors for drug targets, metabolism and transport. Genetic variation in receptors or in enzymatic function might contribute to sex differences in therapeutic efficacy and adverse drug reactions. Outcomes from clinical trials are often not reported by sex, and, if the data are available, they are not translated into clinical practice guidelines. This Review will provide a historical perspective for the current state of research related to hormone trials and provide concrete strategies that, if implemented, will improve the health of all people.

[18F]Atorvastatin Pharmacokinetics and Biodistribution in Healthy Female and Male Rats

Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors that are widely used to prevent cardiovascular diseases. However, a series of pleiotropic mechanisms have been associated with statins, particularly with atorvastatin. Therefore, the assessment of [¹⁸F]atorvastatin kinetics with positron emission tomography (PET) may elucidate the mechanism of action of statins and the impact of sexual dimorphism, which is one of the most debated interindividual variations influencing the therapeutic efficacy. [¹⁸F]Atorvastatin was synthesized via a previously optimized ¹⁸F-deoxyfluorination strategy, used for preclinical PET studies in female and male Wistar rats (n = 7 for both groups), and for subsequent ex vivo biodistribution assessment. PET data were fitted to several pharmacokinetic models, which allowed for estimating relevant kinetic parameters. Both PET imaging and biodistribution studies showed negligible uptake of [¹⁸F]atorvastatin in all tissues compared with the primary target organ (liver), excretory pathways (kidneys and small intestine), and stomach. Uptake of [¹⁸F]atorvastatin was 38 ± 3% higher in the female liver than in the male liver. The irreversible 2-tissue compartment model showed the best fit to describe [¹⁸F]atorvastatin kinetics in the liver. A strong correlation (R² > 0.93) between quantitative K_i (the radiotracer’s unidirectional net rate of influx between compartments) and semi-quantitative liver’s SUV (standard uptake value), measured between 40 to 90 min, showed potential to use the latter parameter, which circumvents the need for blood sampling as a surrogate of K_i for monitoring [¹⁸F]atorvastatin uptake. Preclinical assays showed faster uptake and clearance for female rats compared to males, seemingly related to a higher efficiency for exchanges between the arterial input and the hepatic tissue. Due to the slow [¹⁸F]atorvastatin kinetics, equilibrium between the liver and plasma concentration was not reached during the time frame studied, making it difficult to obtain sufficient and accurate kinetic information to quantitatively characterize the radiotracer pharmacokinetics over time. Nevertheless, the reported results suggest that the SUV can potentially be used as a simplified measure, provided all scans are performed at the same time point. Preclinical PET-studies with [¹⁸F]atorvastatin showed faster uptake and clearance in female compared to male rats, apparently related to higher efficiency for exchange between arterial blood and hepatic tissue.

Statins and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a paralytic, heterogeneous and progressive disease characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. Several studies about the effects of statins drug on the risk of ALS showed contradictory results and evidence for this is inconclusive. So we aimed to perform a meta-analysis on previous studies to clarify the association between statin use and risk of ALS. The databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of science were searched in February 2021 for studies that reported the association between statin use and risk of ALS. The eligible studies had to provide a report on the effect of statin and the incidence of ALS while comparing it to the control group. Articles that had low statin exposure time, the absence of a control group and an unknown number of ALS patients were excluded. The rate ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used for association measures in case-control and cohort studies. After full-text and abstract review, data from 8 studies with a total of 547,622 participants and 13,890 cases of ALS were entered in the present meta-analysis. We combined eight studies using a random-effect model and the RR for statin users among groups was 0.98 (95% CI 0.80-1.20) which indicates no association between statin and incidence of ALS. Also high heterogeneity was detected across the studies (Q value = 26.62, P = .00; I² = 72.71%). In our meta-analysis study, we found no association between statin use and an increase in ALS incidence. This result is in line with some previous studies and provides strong evidence that denies the possible association between statin uptake and disease induction.

Effects of statins after transcatheter aortic valve implantation in key patient populations

ABSTRACT

Statin therapy after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) is associated with better short- and long-term outcomes. It is of interest to identify specific patient populations that might profit from statin therapy. In this retrospective, observational analysis of 2,862 patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) after successful transfemoral TAVI, survival during a three-year observation period was characterized by Kaplan-Meier analyses according to statin therapy. Hazard ratios and potential interactions for specific subgroups of patients were determined by Cox regression analyses. At hospital discharge 1,761 patients were on low- or moderate-intensity statins (LMIS), 246 patients were on high-intensity statins (HIS), and 855 patients did not take statins. Statin therapy adherence during the first three months post-TAVI was 91%. Mortality rates were 18.5%, 12.9%, and 6.9% for patients with no statin, LMIS, and HIS (p<0.001). Any statin therapy proved to be effective in patients in different classes of age, risk, and manifest cardiovascular disease and was independent of background medication. Statins were of particular benefit in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease (hazard ratio (HR)=0.57), ejection fraction < 40% (HR=0.64), or low-flow low-gradient AS (HR=0.58) and showed additional benefit even in patients taking renin-angiotensin system blockers (HR=0.74). Statins also reduced mortality in patients with malignant disease (HR=0.47). Our analysis confirmed the beneficial effect of statins on survival after TAVI and documented this phenomenon in key patient subsets. The protective effect of statins in our study is consistent with the cardioprotective mechanisms but must be explained by other, yet undetermined pleiotropic effects of statins.

Impact of Age and Sex on Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis in a Healthy Asian Population

Background

The influence of age and sex on clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is well reported, but literature remains sparse on whether these extend to the disease in its preclinical stage.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to report the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of age and sex on the burden of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in a healthy Asian population.

Methods

Healthy subjects age 30 to 69 years, with no history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes were recruited from the general population. Subclinical coronary atherosclerosis was quantified via the coronary artery calcium score (CAC) with CAC of 0 indicating absence of calcified plaque, 1 to 10 minimal plaque, 11 to 100 mild plaque, and >100 moderate to severe plaque.

Results

A total of 663 individuals (mean age 49.4 ± 9.2 years; 44.8% men) were included. The prevalence of any CAC was 29.3%, with 9% having CAC >100. The prevalence was significantly higher in men than women (43.1% vs 18.0%; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed significant associations of increasing age, male sex, higher blood pressure, increased glucose levels, and higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with the presence of any CAC. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was more significantly associated with CAC in women compared with men (P_interaction = 0.022).

Conclusions

The prevalence of preclinical atherosclerosis increased with age, and was higher in men, with sex-specific differences in associated risk factors. These results will better inform individualized future risk management strategies to prevent the development and progression of coronary artery disease within healthy individuals.

Sex-Differences in Discontinuation of Statin Treatment in Cancer Patients the Year before Death

Statin treatment is often terminated in patients with advanced cancer but guidelines for statin discontinuation are still lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate sex-differences in time-points of statin discontinuation in patients with advanced cancer. Medical records from 1535 deceased patients enrolled at a Palliative Home Care Unit were reviewed. A total of 149 patients (42 women and 107 men) who were diagnosed with cancer, and were treated with statins one year before death, were identified. Statin treatment was terminated earlier in women than in men, 3.0 months prior to death (IQR 0.88–7.25) as compared to 1.5 months (IQR 0.5–4.0) (p < 0.05), respectively. In a longitudinal analysis there was a significant difference between men and women still on statin treatment at all studied time-points, 9, 6, and 3 months before death (p < 0.05), where women terminated statin treatment earlier in the disease trajectory. Baseline demographics were similar between the sexes except that more men than women had a history of previous cardiovascular events (p < 0.01). However, neither the indication for statin treatment, i.e., primary prevention versus secondary prevention, nor age could explain the sex-difference in statin discontinuation. There was no difference in cardiovascular events or mortality between men and women after statin discontinuation.

Evaluation of the relationship between previous statin use and thyroid cancer using Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort data

The association of thyroid cancer with statin use is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association of previous statin use with thyroid cancer in the ≥ 40-year-old population in the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort. The 5501 patients in the thyroid cancer group were matched with the 22,004 patients in the non-thyroid cancer group for age, sex, income, and region of residence. Previous statin use during the 2 years before the diagnosis of thyroid cancer was examined. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of previous statin use for thyroid cancer were estimated using conditional logistic regression analyses. Additionally, subgroup analyses were conducted. The thyroid cancer group showed more days of previous statin use than the non-thyroid cancer group (72.3, standard deviation [SD] = 181.2 days vs. 64.3, SD = 174.4 days, P = 0.003). Although the odds of previous statin use for thyroid cancer were high in the crude model (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.04–1.17, P = 0.002), they were low in the fully adjusted model (OR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.82–0.95, P = 0.001). According to age and sex subgroups, the younger (< 60 years old) male group showed lower odds for thyroid cancer according to previous statin use (adjusted OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.55–0.88, P = 0.003), but this finding was not observed in other subgroups of older men or in any groups of women. Thyroid cancer was negatively associated with statin use in the previous 2 years in the adjusted model.

Inferior control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women is the primary sex difference in modifiable cardiovascular risk: A large-scale, cross-sectional study in primary care

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Sex differences in cardiovascular prevention have been reported, yet the role of sex with regard to different modifiable risk factors such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (BP), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in primary care settings is unclear. Therefore, we studied sex differences in assessment and measured values of LDL-C, BP, and HbA1c in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention delivered by general practitioners.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was based on electronic medical records of 59,092 primary care patients (51.9% women) aged 40-79 years in Switzerland. Multilevel regression was used to model associations of sex with assessment and measured values of LDL-C, BP, and HbA1c in 2018.

RESULTS

In both primary and secondary prevention, women had lower LDL-C assessment rates (age-adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67 to 0.75] and 0.70 [CI 0.51 to 0.95]), and higher measured LDL-C values than men (age-adjusted difference 0.30 mmol/L [CI 0.25 to 0.35] and 0.28 mmol/L [CI 0.07 to 0.48]). Compared with men, women in primary prevention displayed lower BP and HbA1c assessment frequencies (aOR 0.77 [CI 0.73 to 0.81] and 0.76 [CI 0.71 to 0.80]) and measured values (age-adjusted difference -2.49 mmHg [CI -2.99 to -1.79] and -0.19% [CI -0.24 to -0.14]), while there was no sex difference in secondary prevention. Age-dependent increases in measured values of LDL-C, BP, and HbA1c were greater in women than men.

CONCLUSIONS

Control of LDL-C in women in primary care should be improved to reduce sex-based inequalities in prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Medication Adherence After Acute Coronary Syndrome in Women Compared With Men: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Pharmacological treatment is an important component of secondary prevention in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) survivors. However, adherence to medication regimens is often suboptimal, reducing the effectiveness of treatment. It has been suggested that sex influences adherence to cardiovascular medication, but results differ across studies, and a systematic overview is lacking. Methods: We performed a systematic search of PubMed and EMBASE on 16 October 2019. Studies that reported sex-specific adherence for one or more specific medication classes for ACS patients were included. Odds ratios, or equivalent, were extracted per medication class and combined using a random effects model. Results: In total, we included 28 studies of which some had adherence data for more than one medication group. There were 7 studies for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (n = 100,909, 37% women), 8 studies for antiplatelet medication (n = 37,804, 27% women), 11 studies for beta-blockers (n = 191,339, 38% women), and 17 studies for lipid-lowering medication (n = 318,837, 35% women). Women were less adherent to lipid-lowering medication than men (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.82-0.92), but this sex difference was not observed for antiplatelet medication (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.83-1.09), ACEIs/ARBs (OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.78-1.17), or beta-blockers (OR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.86-1.11). Conclusion: Women with ACS have poorer adherence to lipid-lowering medication than men with the same condition. There are no differences in adherence to antiplatelet medication, ACEIs/ARBs, and beta-blockers between women and men with ACS.

Hormone replacement therapy - where are we now?

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was the standard of care for menopause management until 2002, when perceptions changed following release of the initial results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial. Fears of breast cancer and heart attacks engendered by that report were not supported by the data, especially for recently menopausal women. Clinically, HRT is usually initiated near menopause. The WHI tested something different - the effects of HRT started a decade or more after menopause. As it turned out, age at starting HRT is critical in determining benefit/risk. HRT use plummeted following the WHI in 2002 and has remained low, prompting strong interest in alternative treatments. None provide the range of benefits across multiple organ systems offered by estrogen. Most have concerning adverse effects in their own right. HRT can provide effective relief for a wide range of health conditions, potentially avoiding the need for multiple treatments for separate problems. Unfortunately, among many women and clinicians, the perception of HRT benefit/risk is distorted, and its use avoided, leading to unnecessary distress. Following the WHI, many clinicians have not received adequate training to feel comfortable prescribing HRT. When initiated within 10 years of menopause, HRT reduces all-cause mortality and risks of coronary disease, osteoporosis, and dementias.

Sex-Specific Influence of the SCARB1 Rs5888 SNP on the Serum Lipid Response to Atorvastatin in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Background

Epidemiological studies have shown that there are sex differences in blood lipid levels and lipid responses to statins. Previous studies have shown that the rs5888 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SCARB1) gene is associated with serum lipid levels in a sex-specific manner. The present study was undertaken to detect the sex-specific influence of the SCARB1 rs5888 SNP on the serum lipid response to atorvastatin in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

A total of 158 unrelated ACS patients (108 males, 50 females) were enrolled, and all patients received atorvastatin 20 mg/daily after PCI. Genotyping of the rs5888 SNP was performed by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Serum lipid profiles were determined before treatment and after an average follow-up time of one year.

Results

The baseline serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apolipoprotein (Apo)AI levels were higher in females than in males (P<0.05). After treatment with atorvastatin, serum TC, LDL-C, and ApoB were decreased, and ApoAI was increased (P<0.05). The effects of atorvastatin on serum lipid levels were different between males and females, and females had greater decreases in TC, LDL-C and ApoB levels than males (P<0.05). The genotypic frequencies of the rs5888 SNP were not different between males and females. The atorvastatin response was not associated with the rs5888 SNP in males (P > 0.05). Nonetheless, in female individuals carrying the rs5888 T-allele, we observed a greater reduction in TC, LDL-C, and ApoB levels after the use of 20 mg/day atorvastatin (P<0.05).

Conclusion

This study indicates that the SCARB1 rs5888 T-allele was associated with a greater reduction in serum TC, LDL-C, and ApoB after atorvastatin treatment in female patients with ACS undergoing PCI.

Reporting of sex as a variable in cardiovascular studies using cultured cells: A systematic review

Reporting the sex of biological material is critical for transparency and reproducibility in science. This study examined the reporting of the sex of cells used in cardiovascular studies. Articles from 16 cardiovascular journals that publish peer-reviewed studies in cardiovascular physiology and pharmacology in the year 2018 were systematically reviewed using terms "cultured" and "cells." Data were collected on the sex of cells, the species from which the cells were isolated, and the type of cells, and summarized as a systematic review. Sex was reported in 88 (38.6%) of the 228 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Reporting rates varied with Circulation, Cardiovascular Research and American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology having the highest rates of sex reporting (>50%). A majority of the studies used cells from male (54.5%) or both male and female animals (32.9%). Humans (31.8%), rats (20.4%), and mice (43.8%) were the most common sources for cells. Cardiac myocytes were the most commonly used cell type (37.0%). Overall reporting of sex of experimental material remains below 50% and is inconsistent among journals. Sex chromosomes in cells have the potential to affect protein expression and molecular signaling pathways and should be consistently reported.