The effects of atorvastatin on antioxidant/antiinfammatory properties of HDLs in hypercholesterolemics

Abstract

Background/aim: Hypercholesterolemia is characterized by changes in lipid profle, nitric oxide pathway, and oxidative stress markers,but functions of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were not well established in hypercholesterolemic subjects treated with atorvastatin.In this study, we aimed to evaluate efects of atorvastatin treatment on functionality of HDL, oxidative stress, and endothelial functionsin hypercholesterolemic subjects.Materials and methods: Tirty patients (20 females, 10 males) aged from 40 to 60 years and diagnosed as hypercholesterolemicwere included. Patients were treated with 10 mg/day atorvastatin for 3 months. Markers of endothelial functions, namely asymmetricdimethylarginine (ADMA), homocysteine, and nitric oxide (NO), and markers of oxidative status, namely malondialdehyde (MDA),antioxidant potential (AOP), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and arylesterase, were measured. Before and afer atorvastatin treatment, glucose,lipid parameters, and antioxidant/antiinfammatory HDL levels were also measured.Results: ADMA and homocysteine levels were decreased whereas NO levels were increased with atorvastatin therapy. MDA levels weredecreased but AOP, PON1, and arylesterase levels and antiinfammatory characteristics of HDLs were increased. Furthermore, lipidprofles of the patients improved with atorvastatin therapy.Conclusion: Hypercholesterolemia is a cause of oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and proinfammatory HDL levels. Atorvastatinis a benefcial pharmacological modulator of impaired antiinfammatory HDL-C levels, endothelial functions, and oxidative statusagainst atherosclerosis indicating pleiotropic efects of statins.