Background: High-dose statins are used in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to reduce
inflammation. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the influence of low-dose atorvastatin
(20 mg) on selected inflammatory parameters and clinical outcomes after ACS.
Methods: Seventy eight patients (pts) with ACS were randomly divided into group A (39 pts)
taking atorvastatin, and group NA (39 pts) not taking any statin for the following six weeks.
C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)
and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) levels were measured on the first and the fifth days
and six weeks after ACS.
Results: There was no significant CRP and IL-6 level decrease in group A (CRP - 62%;
IL-6 - 73%) or group NA (CRP - 44%; IL-6 - 62%). There was also no significant change
in TNFa levels. The MCP-1 level finally reached the level of significant difference (p < 0.04).
Cardiovascular events (MACE) and the restenosis rates did not differ between the groups.
Conclusions: Low-dose atorvastatin does not have a significant influence on cooling down
inflammation in ACS, and MCP-1 can be used as an early indicator of statin anti-inflammatory
activity. Furthermore, it does not reduce MACE or restenosis rates despite its influence on
MCP-1 levels
