The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Statins on Coronary Artery Disease: An Updated Review of the Literature.

The Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Statins on Coronary Artery Disease: An Updated Review of the Literature. Curr Cardiol Rev. 2017 Apr 25;: Authors: Diamantis E, Kyriakos G, Quiles-Sanchez LV, Farmaki P, Troupis T Abstract Statins have long been used for the protection against coronary artery disease (CAD). Their beneficial effect apart from cholesterol reduction lies in their pleiotropic properties. Emerging evidence from laboratory studies and clinical trials as well have pointed out the pivotal role of inflammation on the intiation and exacerbation of atherosclerosis; a major cause of CAD. Inflammation markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein and adhesion molecules are showed to be increased in CAD patients and are used as prognostic tools. It is well known that statins can actually reduce the circulating levels of these agents slowing therefore the inflammatory process; interestingly not all types have the same outcome. The anti-inflammatory effect of statins on the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and the function of endothelial cellsis thus of particular importance as these agents can actually ameliorate CAD prognosis. PMID: 28462692 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Current Cardiology Reviews - Category: Cardiology Tags: Curr Cardiol Rev Source Type: research