Effects of atorvastatin and aspirin combined therapy on inflammatory responses in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

Cytokine. 2006 Dec;36(5-6):201-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2006.11.001. Epub 2007 Feb 14.

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the effects of atorvastatin plus aspirin combined therapy on inflammatory responses, endothelial cell function, and blood coagulation system in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to aspirin monotherapy. The patients were randomized into atorvastatin plus aspirin combined therapy group and aspirin monotherapy group. Reduced total cholesterol in the combined therapy group was found in a short term of medication for 14 days. On postoperative day (POD)-14, inhibitory effects of the combined therapy on whole blood aggregation as well as platelet activation assessed by flow cytometry were stronger than those of the monotherapy. Furthermore, cytokine, cytokine receptors, c-reactive protein and alpha1-acid glycoprotein in the combined therapy group were down-regulated on POD-14. At the same time, circulating levels of thromboxane A(2), vascular endothelial growth factor and thrombin-antithrombin III complex as well as P-selectin, L-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were down-regulated, while E-selectin and transforming growth factor-beta1 was up-regulated. Atorvastatin plus aspirin combined therapy may improve inflammatory responses, accelerated platelet function, vascular endothelial cell function, blood coagulation system at the early stage such as 14th day after CABG. In conclusion, atorvastatin and aspirin combined therapy may bring beneficial effects to the patient after CABG.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Antithrombins / analysis
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use*
  • Atorvastatin
  • Blood Platelets / chemistry
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Coronary Artery Bypass*
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Heptanoic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • P-Selectin / analysis
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Receptors, Cytokine / blood
  • Thrombin / analysis
  • Thromboxane B2 / blood
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / blood
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / blood

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antithrombins
  • Cytokines
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • P-Selectin
  • Pyrroles
  • Receptors, Cytokine
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Thromboxane B2
  • Cholesterol
  • Atorvastatin
  • Thrombin
  • Aspirin