Background: Statins may help prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) with chronic inflammation owing to their pleotropic lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties.
Methods: The impact of 48 weeks of rosuvastatin therapy on inflammation and immune activation in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in PWH at moderate cardiovascular disease risk was assessed.
Results: Rosuvastatin did not alter plasma levels of interleukin 6, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor type 2, CXCL10, soluble CD14, or soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (P ≥ .1 for all). Proportions of CD16+ monocyte subsets were increased in PWH receiving rosuvastatin.
Conclusions: The potential benefits of statin use in PWH with normal lipid levels requires further clinical outcome research.
Keywords: HIV; cardiovascular disease; chronic inflammation; immune activation; monocytes; rosuvastatin.
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