Atorvastatin reduces serum HMGB1 levels in patients with hyperlipidemia

High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) has been identified as a novel pro-inflammatory cytokine in coronary artery disease. This study investigated the effect of atorvastatin on serum HMGB1 levels in patients with hyperlipidemia. In 72 patients with hyperlipidemia, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were compared with the levels in 32 control patients. In hyperlipidemic patients, serum HMGB1 levels were also determined by ELISA before and after a 3-month treatment of atorvastatin (20 mg/day). TC and LDL-C levels in the hyperlipidemic group (6.37 +/- 0.94 and 4.99 +/- 0.75 mmol/l, respectively) were significantly higher compared to those in the control group (4.34 +/- 0.89 and 2.57 +/- 0.82 mmol/l, respectively) (both P<0.05). Hs-CRP and HMGB1 levels in the hyperlipidemic group (3.91 +/- 1.06 mg/l and 5.42 +/- 1.56 ng/ml, respectively) were also significantly higher compared to those in the control group (1.53 +/- 0.45 mg/l and 2.11 +/- 0.95 ng/ml, respectively) (both P<0.05). After treatment with atorvasatin for three months, TC and LDL-C levels in the hyperlipidemic group were significantly decreased compared to those prior to treatment (TC, 4.67 +/- 0.89 vs. 6.37 +/- 0.94 mmol/l and LDL-C, 2.75 +/- 0.92 vs. 4.99 +/- 0.75 mmol/l, respectively) (both P<0.05). HMGB1 and hs-CRP levels in the hyperlipidemic group (3.07 +/- 1.24 ng/ml and 1.87 +/- 0.79 mg/l, respectively) were also significantly decreased compared to levels prior to treatment (5.42 +/- 1.56 ng/ml and 3.91 +/- 1.06 mg/l, respectively) (both P<0.05). Serum HMGB1 levels are increased in patients with hyperlipidemia which could be reduced by atorvastatin.