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[Pleiotropic effects of statins in systemic sclerosis].

AIM
To study anti-inflammatory and angioprotective properties of statins in patients with systemic sclerosis (SS).


MATERIAL AND METHODS
Fifty SS patients enrolled in the trial were divided into two groups: the study group included 30 patients who received standard therapy and atorvastatin in a dose 10-40 mg/day, the control group (n = 20) received standard therapy alone. The blood of the patients was studied with enzyme immunoassay for concentrations of highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-6, VCAM-1, E-selectin, WF antigen, VEGF-A, VEGF-R2. The tests were made before the treatment and after 12 months of the treatment.


RESULTS
The levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, VCAM-1, E-selectin, WF antigen, VEGF-A and VEGF-R2 were significantly higher in the study group than in healthy donors. The controls also had elevated levels of the above substances except IL-6 and VEGF-A which elevated but not significantly. A 12-month treatment in the study group resulted in a significant lowering of hs-CRP, IL-6, WF antigen, E-selectin, VEGF-A and VEGF-R2, the number of patients with elevated IL-6, WF antigen, VEGF-R2 also reduced while in the controls the parameters did not change.


CONCLUSION
Atorvastatin has anti-inflammatory and angioprotective effects in SS patients.