Atorvastatin favorably modulates proinflammatory cytokine profile in patients following deep vein thrombosis

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) has been shown to be associated with inflammation. Statins that might reduce VTE risk have been found to exert anti-inflammatory properties in patients at cardiovascular risk. We sought to investigate whether anti-inflammatory effects of atorvastatin can be observed in VTE patients.Materials and MethodsAtorvastatin 40 mg/d was given for 3 days to 26 consecutive VTE patients following discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy and 25 controls. We evaluated interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, soluble P-selectin and von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen in peripheral venous blood.ResultsThe VTE patients displayed higher C-reactive protein (p = 0.013), IL-1b (p = 0.03), IL-8 (p = 0.03) and vWF (p < 0.0001) compared with the controls. In VTE patients atorvastatin decreased IL-6 (p = 0.0003), IL-8 (p = 0.003) and P-selectin (p < 0.0001), but increased IL-10 (p = 0.001), with no association with C-reactive protein or cholesterol-lowering effects. Atorvastatin reduced IL-1b (p = 0.01), IL-6 (p = 0.03) and P-selectin (p = 0.002) in controls. Residual venous thrombosis was associated with elevated IL-6 and P-selectin, whereas patients with proximal deep vein thrombosis showed elevated P-selecitn prior to and following statin administration (all p < 0.05).ConclusionA 3-day administration of atorvastatin reduces inflammation without decrease in C-reactive protein in VTE patients.