Statins have an effect on inflammation as well as cholesterol

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Statins reduce the inflammation that can lead to heart disease, according to a new trial.
We already know that statins can lower the 'bad' cholesterol which otherwise increases the risk of heart disease. Now a team at the Methodist DeBakey Heart Center in Houston shows statins have extra benefit, by reducing the inflammation that is thought to damage the heart.

The results come from a study called EXPLORER which covers 465 patients with high cholesterol in five countries. They were given either a combination of ezetimibe and rosuvastatin or rosuvastatin on its own. Those on the combination therapy had a bigger reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) than did those on monotherapy. CRP is a known marker for inflammation, which is thought to set the scene for heart disease and stroke. Some researchers believe elevated CRP may be as significant as high cholesterol - so there is a big interest in ways of reducing CRP and inflammation. The drug combination also led to large reductions in cholesterol levels and may be optimal therapy for patients at risk of heart disease because of high cholesterol.

Source
World Congress of Cardiology 6th September 2006

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