Anti inflammatory effects of statin in COPD

IntroductionStatins are now becoming recognized as powerful antiinflammatory agents that exert beneficial effects beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction [1].COPD patients receiving statins obtain a benefit from these therapeutic agents. Clearly, the best medical evidence for the association of statins with improved outcomes for COPD patients [2].We aimed in this study to assess anti inflammatory effects of statin in COPD patients.Patients and methodsWe studied 28 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease. Fourteen patients (11 male and 3 female) receiving statin due to hyperlipidemia (9 patients received simvastatin and 5 patients atorvastatin), and other 14 patients (11 male and 3 female) not hyperlipidemic. All patients were subjected to Pulmonary function (spirometery) pre and at end of study. Sputum induction before and at end of 10 months from statin starting, and determination of leptin, total and differential cell count pre and at end of study.ResultsAfter 10 months from statin intake we found significant decrease of TCC in statin groupand also high significant decrease of sputum leptin, neutrophils, and COPD exacerbation in the same group when compared to control group. And significant decrease of TCC in statin group pre and at end of study with high significant decreases of sputum leptin, neutrophils, and COPD exacerbation of statin group pre and 10 months of statin intake. Titropium bromide has positive significant effects on sputum leptin in statin group.ConclusionWe conclude that statin may lower the exacerbation in patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases and may lower the total cell count of inflammatory cells, sputum leptin and neutrophils.