Monocyte-suppressing effects of simvastatin in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia

BackgroundNo previous study investigated statin action on monocyte cytokine release and systemic inflammation in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia.MethodsOur study included 43 subjects with isolated hypertriglyceridemia and peripheral artery stenosis randomly allocated to one of two groups, treated for 12 weeks with either simvastatin (40 mg twice daily) or placebo. Plasma lipids, glucose homeostasis markers, plasma C-reactive protein and monocyte cytokine release were determined on the day of allocation and at the end of the treatment period.ResultsSimvastatin, but not placebo, reduced monocyte release of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, as well decreased plasma levels of C-reactive protein.ConclusionsOur study shows that simvastatin reduces monocyte secretory function and has systemic anti-inflammatory properties in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia.