Effect of 12-month statin therapy on antioxidant potential of LDL and serum antioxidant vitamin concentrations

Ann Med. 2004;36(8):618-22. doi: 10.1080/07853890410018844.

Abstract

Background: Statins are known to cause short-term reduction in serum lipid-soluble antioxidant concentrations, but their long-term effects are not known.

Aim: We randomised 104 subjects with CHD and hypercholesterolaemia to receive either atorvastatin or simvastatin treatment for 52 weeks and measured the antioxidant potential of LDL and serum antioxidant vitamin concentrations.

Method: Initial daily dose for both statins was 20 mg.

Results: LDL antioxidant capacity and serum alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol and beta-carotene concentrations decreased by 22%-35% with both statins during the first 12 weeks' therapy (P < 0.01 for all). After 52 weeks' therapy, the concentrations of serum gamma-tocopherol in the simvastatin group and serum beta-carotene in both treatment groups returned to baseline levels, while the concentrations of serum gamma-tocopherol in the atorvastatin group and LDL anti-oxidant capacity and serum alpha-tocopherol in both treatment groups remained reduced (P < 0.001 for all). The LDL antioxidant capacity:LDL-cholesterol and the serum alpha-tocopherol:LDL-cholesterol ratios were significantly elevated with both statins after 12 and 52 weeks (P < 0.001 for all). Statistically significant increases were also observed for corresponding ratios of the less abundant vitamins gamma-tocopherol and beta-carotene.

Conclusions: Some of the decreases in serum lipid soluble antioxidant vitamins reported in short-term statin interventions may become attenuated when therapy continues longer. The relative antioxidant capacity of LDL particles increased during the 52-week treatment, suggesting that the oxidation resistance of LDL particles did not become impaired and that their atherogenicity did not increase.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Atorvastatin
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Female
  • Heptanoic Acids / administration & dosage*
  • Heptanoic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrroles / administration & dosage*
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use
  • Simvastatin / administration & dosage*
  • Simvastatin / therapeutic use
  • alpha-Tocopherol / blood
  • beta Carotene / blood
  • gamma-Tocopherol / blood

Substances

  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrroles
  • beta Carotene
  • gamma-Tocopherol
  • Atorvastatin
  • Simvastatin
  • alpha-Tocopherol