Association of statins with inflammatory cytokines: A population-based Colaus study

PurposeA pleiotropic effect of statins has been reported in numerous studies. However, the association between statin use and inflammatory cytokines is controversial. We examined the associations between statin use and C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a healthy Caucasian population.MethodsCross-sectional study of 6184 participants aged 35-75 years from Lausanne, Switzerland. Cytokines were assessed by multiplexed particle-based flow cytometric assay. Self-reported history of medication was collected for statins and other medication. 99 participants without cytokine data were excluded.ResultsAmong the 6085 participants, 2289 (37.6%), 451 (7.4%) and 43 (0.7%) had IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels below detection limits, respectively. On multivariate analysis adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, baseline cardiovascular disease, total cholesterol, anti-inflammatory use, other cytokine modifying drugs and other drugs, participants on statins had significantly lower CRP levels (adjusted mean ± standard error: 1.22 ± 1.05 vs. 1.38 ± 1.04 mg/L for use and non-use, respectively, p < 0.01 on log-transformed data). Conversely, no association was found between statin use and IL-1β (p = 0.91), IL-6 (p = 0.25) or TNF-α (p = 0.28) levels. On multivariate analysis, individuals in the statin group (β coefficient = −0.12; 95% CI = −0.21, −0.03) had lower levels of CRP as compared to those in the reference group (i.e. those not using statin). However, no significant associations were observed between IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and statins.ConclusionIndividuals on statins have lower CRP levels; conversely, no effect was found for IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α levels.