Reduced levels of TNFα in hypercholesterolemic individuals after treatment with pravastatin for 8 weeks

Background: cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) expressed on the endothelial surface play a key role in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis, and increased expression of CAMs has been shown in hypercholesterolemic individuals. The expression of CAMs is mediated by several cytokines including tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of pravastatin 40 mg per day on selected soluble CAMs; intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, P-selectin and some circulating markers of inflammation; C-reactive protein (CRP) and the cytokines TNFα and IL-6. 40 non-diabetic men, age below 70 years, with serum total cholesterol 6–10 mmol/l combined with HDL-cholesterol ≤1.2 mmol/l were included. The study was randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, cross over designed with 8 weeks intervention periods. Fasting blood samples were drawn after 8 and 16 weeks. Results(median values): significant reduction of total cholesterol was achieved after treatment with pravastatin (7.8 on placebo vs. 5.7 mmol/l on pravastatin). TNFα was significantly reduced after treatment with pravastatin (1.33 on placebo vs. 1.10 pg/ml on pravastatin, P=0.032), whereas no differences in the levels of the measured sCAMs, CRP and IL-6 were found. Subgroup analysis among smokers versus non-smokers showed a significant reduction in the level of TNFα only among the smokers. Conclusion: hypercholesterolemic individuals treated with pravastatin 40 mg per day for 8 weeks showed a statistically significant reduction in the levels of TNFα as compared with placebo.