Pitavastatin further decreases serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein levels in hypertensive patients with hypercholesterolemia treated with angiotensin II, type-1 receptor antagonists

Abstract

Lipid-lowering therapy with a statin not only powerfully lowers cholesterol but also exerts anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Since an angiotensin II, type-1 receptor antagonist (ARB) also decreases CRP levels, the add-on effect of statins on CRP may be worth exploring. We determined the effect of pitavastatin on serum levels of highly sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) in 30 patients with hypercholesterolemia undergoing treatment with anti-hypertensive medication including ARBs. Pitavastatin, 2 mg daily, was given. The control group consisted of hypertensive patients without hyperlipidemia. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and hs-CRP were measured at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment. For the atherosclerotic index, LDL-C/HDL-C ratios at 12 months were calculated. The LDL-C level was markedly reduced at 1 month and thereafter. The baseline level of hs-CRP in the hyperlipidemia group was significantly higher than that in the control group (1.647 ± 0.210 mg/L vs. 0.666 ± 0.097 mg/L p < 0.0001). After 3 months, the percentage of reduction of hs-CRP was significantly higher than that in the control group. The absolute values of hs-CRP were significantly decreased to a level similar to the control group, and the hs-CRP in both groups was remained at the same level for 12 months. Although the LDL-C/HDL-C ratios of the pitavastatin group was significantly reduced from 3.3 to 1.8, those of the control group were not changed. In conclusion, pitavastatin was found to have powerful anti-inflammatory, add-on effects over the similar effects of ARB as assessed by hs-CRP.