Effect of statins on the plasma/serum levels of inflammatory markers in patients with cardiovascular disease; a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Mitra Abbasifard, Tahmineh Kandelouei, Saeed Aslani, Bahman Razi, Danyal Imani, Mahdieh Fasihi, F. G. Cicero, Amirhossein Sahebkar

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Citations (Web of Science)

Abstract

Background: The anti-inflammatory properties of statins have been suggested by several researches. However, clinical trials have reported incongruous findings regarding the effect of statins on the levels of inflammatory markers other than high-sensitive C-reactive protein. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials were conducted to illuminate the effect of statins on serum levels of TNF-α, MCP-1, VCAM1, and IL-6 in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Methods: To find eligible studies, a systematic literature search of the main databases were conducted up to July 2021. The calculation of the effect sizes was conducted by standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The pooled analyses revealed that statins significantly reduced the TNF-α concentration (SMD = − 0.99 pg/mL; 95% CI − 1.43 to − 0.55 pg/mL; P < 0.001). Regarding dosage, high intensity (SMD = − 0.65 pg/mL; 95% CI − 1.19 to − 0.10, P = 0.02) and moderate/low (SMD = − 1.16 pg/mL; 95% CI − 1.84 to − 0.47, P = 0.001) intensity statins significantly decreased TNF-α levels. Moderate/low intensity statins administration in < 10 weeks treatment duration decreased serum level of TNF-α (SMD = − 0.91 pg/mL; 95% CI − 1.38 to − 0.44, P < 0.001). Lipophilic statins with high intensity dosage significantly decreased level of TNF-α (SMD = − 0.73 pg/mL; 95% CI − 1.43 to − 0.03, P = 0.04). Statins did not change serum levels of MCP-1, VCAM1, and IL-6 in CVD patients. Conclusions: The analyses indicated that statins have beneficial effects in decreasing serum levels of TNF-α in patients with CVDs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)369-383
Number of pages15
JournalInflammopharmacology
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2022

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