Abstract
Statins appear to have several biologic effects beyond those of lipid metabolism, and we hypothesized that immunomodulating effects of statins are important for the beneficial effects of these medications after heart transplantation. Our findings suggest that pravastatin treatment reduces plasma markers of inflammation and improves peripheral endothelial function in heart transplant recipients, possibly contributing to the observed clinical benefits of statin treatment in these patients.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Randomized Controlled Trial
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Cell Adhesion Molecules / blood
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Cross-Over Studies
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Cytokines / blood
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Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
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Endothelium, Vascular / physiology*
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Heart Transplantation*
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Humans
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Inflammation Mediators / blood*
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Male
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Microcirculation / drug effects
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Middle Aged
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Pilot Projects
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Pravastatin / therapeutic use*
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Skin / blood supply
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis
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Vasodilation / drug effects*
Substances
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Cell Adhesion Molecules
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Cytokines
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
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Inflammation Mediators
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Pravastatin