Reduction of oxidative stress and modulation of autoantibodies against modified low-density lipoprotein after rosuvastatin therapy

Aims To examine the effect of 24 weeks' rosuvastatin treatment on oxidative stress and changes in immune response to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Methods This was an open-label study of patients in Austria receiving 10 or 40 mg rosuvastatin daily alternately during 12 and 24 weeks. Circulating concentrations of antibodies to malondialdehyde-oxidized LDL (MDA-LDL), both IgG and IgM type, to copper-oxidized LDL (Cu-OxLDL-IgG), concentrations of oxidized LDL complexed to IgG (OxLDL-IC) and markers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in subjects with plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations between 130 mg dl(-1) and 250 mg dl(-1) and triglycerides <= 400 mg dl(-1) were determined. Results During statin therapy, plasma endogenous peroxides (POX-ACT) concentrations and peroxidase activity were significantly decreased, associated with a modest increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Antibody titres to MDA-LDL-IgM, Cu-OxLDL-IgG and OxLDL-IC decreased, whereas MDA-LDL-IgG concentrations were increased after therapy. These changes were dose- and LDL-independent. POX-ACT concentrations were significantly positively correlated with inflammation markers before and after therapy and inversely with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations after therapy. Conclusion This study provides in vivo evidence that rosuvastatin significantly reduces oxidative stress and has immunomodulatory properties in a dose- and LDL-independent manner.