Intensive Lipid Reduction and Proinflammatory Markers in the MODEST Study - Original Article

Abstract
Objective: Statin therapy is well known to reduce inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin 6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). However, whether this relationship is maintained in the setting of targeting very low levels of LDL (<70 mg dl) in patients with type 2 diabetes has not been clearly established.
Materials and Methods: We measured hsCRP, IL-6, and TNF-a in 43 subject enrolled into the multicenter, open-label, crossover prospective study evaluating the effects of lipid-lowering treatment on steroid synthesis in patients with type 2 diabetes (MODEST study). Subjects with diabetes and coronary artery disease were treated with 80 mg of atorvastatin for 12 weeks. The effect of treatment on pro-inflammatory markers was assessed after 12 weeks.
Results: High-dose atorvastatin treatment significantly reduced the plasma levels of IL-6 and hsCRP (p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively), but not of TNF-a (p=0.051).
Conclusion: Atorvastatin treatment targeting very low LDL-cholesterol level reduced the levels of several important inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.