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Statins and Inflammation

  • Statin Drugs (R. Ceska, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Chronic inflammation has been recognized as one of the most important pathophysiological mechanisms’ initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Statins belong to most successful therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of atherothrombotic vascular disease. Their non-lipid related effects including suppression of inflammation have been repeatedly proven in both experimental and clinical settings.

Recent Findings

Recently, the importance of inflammation in the process of atherosclerosis has been confirmed by interventions targeting inflammation selectively. Clinical trial with selective inhibitor of a principal inflammatory mediator interleukin 1-beta — canakinumab — confirmed the notion of direct vasculoprotective effects of primarily targeting inflammation. This has increased interest in the non-lipid, pleiotropic and, particularly, anti-inflammatory effects of statins.

Summary

Anti-inflammatory effects of statins have been proven both experimentally and in clinical settings beyond any doubt. They comprise a direct positive effect on not only many cell types and pathways that are lipid independent but, also, some that are mediated by lipid modification. Undoubtedly, suppression of inflammatory response by statins contributes to their generally positive action in atherosclerosis and represents an important part of the vasculo- and atheroprotective effect of this drug class.

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Funding

MS, JAH, and MV are supported by the Ministry of Health, Czech Republic — conceptual development of research organization 64165, General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic and Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, AZV grant no. NU21-01–00146. MS and MV are also supported by the Charles University, project GA UK No. 70220. All rights reserved.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. First Faculty of Medicine, Charles Univesity, U Nemocnice 1, 128 08, Prague, Czech Republic

    Martin Satny & Michal Vrablik

  2. Experimental Medicine Centre, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic

    Jaroslav A. Hubacek

  3. 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, General University Hospital, U Nemocnice 1, 128 08, Prague 2, Czech Republic

    Michal Vrablik

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  1. Martin Satny
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Correspondence to Michal Vrablik.

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Dr. Satny reports grants and personal fees from KRKA, outside the submitted work.

Dr. Hubacek has nothing to disclose.

Dr. Vrablik reports grants and personal fees from Pfizer and KRKA, and personal fees from Sanofi and Zentiva, outside the submitted work.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Satny, M., Hubacek, J.A. & Vrablik, M. Statins and Inflammation. Curr Atheroscler Rep 23, 80 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-021-00977-6

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