Atorvastatin normalizes endothelial function in healthy smokers

Stefan Agewall (1) , Åsa Hernberg

1 Karolinska Institute

Endothelial function predicts cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine whether endothelial function in smokers with normal cholesterol levels could be normalized by treatment with 80 mg atorvastatin in comparison with a control group. Healthy smokers (n=20) and non-smokers (n=20) were randomized to 80 mg atorvastatin or to placebo in an open, randomized cross-over study. Endothelial functional (Flow-mediated dilatation; FMD) was measured. At baseline smokers had a lower FMD compared to the non-smoking group, 2.2 % ± 0.5 and 4.5 % ± 0.9, respectively (p<0.05). In the smoker group FMD increased to 4.0 % ± 0.8 during treatment with atorvastatin (p<0.05) and returned to basal level during placebo, 2.3 % ± 0.6. In the non-smoking group FMD was unaffected by both atorvastatin and placebo. The net change of total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol was not associated with the net change of FMD when the group was considered as a whole or the smoking group was considered separately. In conclusion, an improved endothelial function was observed in a group of smokers, when they were on 80 mg atorvastatin, whereas atorvastatin had no effect on endothelial function in the non-smoking group. The improved FMD among smokers was independent of the LDL decrease during atorvastatin treatment. The results show that poor endothelial function in smokers with normal lipid levels can be improved by a statin treatment.

Mots clés: Medicine

Stefan Agewall, Åsa Hernberg. Atorvastatin normalizes endothelial function in healthy smokers. Clinical Science, 2006, 111 (1), pp.87-91. ⟨10.1042/CS20060033⟩. ⟨hal-00479321⟩