NLRP3 inflammasome activation in coronary artery disease: Results from prospective and randomized study of treatment with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin

This study included 60 patients with CAD and 30 subjects without CAD (non-CAD). Patients with CAD were randomized to 8 months of treatment with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin. PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) were obtained from peripheral blood at baseline and after 8 months of statin therapy. Levels of NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1β and IL-18 were measured by real-time RT-PCR and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Levels of NLRP3 inflammasome were higher in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group. There was a positive correlation between NLRP3 inflammasome and cytokines (IL-1β and IL-18) levels. A randomized clinical study has shown that atorvastatin markedly diminished NLRP3 inflammasome levels, whereas rosuvastatin had no impact on these levels. Levels of NLRP3 inflammasome decreased in THP-1 cells treated with statins compared to those treated with vehicle, and fold changes in NLRP3 inflammasome were higher in THP-1 cells treated with atorvastatin compared to those treated with rosuvastatin. This study suggests that atorvastatin down-regulates NLRP3 inflammasome expression in CAD, possibly contributing to the inhibitory effects of atorvastatin on chronic inflammation and atherogenic progression in this disorder.
Source: Clinical Science - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research