Atorvastatin reduces plasma MCP-1 in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background. The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a chemokine responsible for the recruitment of monocytes to sites of inflammation. MCP-1 may play critical roles in plaque instability. Anti-inflammation may be one benefit of statin drugs in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We investigated the effects of atorvastatin therapy on plasma MCP-1 concentrations and production of MCP-1 released by peripheral blood monocytes from ACS patients. Methods: Forty patients with ACS were randomly separated into two groups, those receiving conventional therapy (Group A, n = 20), and conventional therapy+ atorvastatin (10 mg/day, Group B, n=20). The study the effects of atorvastatin on secretion and expression of MCP-1, human peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors were incubated with atorvastatin (0.1 - 10 mumol/l) for up to 24 h in vitro. MCP-1 concentrations in plasma and monocytes culture supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). MCP-1 expression was measured by RT-PCR. Results: Plasma concentrations of MCP-1 were significantly lower after 4 weeks therapy in both groups of patients [Group A from 97.4 (50.1-164) to 72.6 (36.3 -156) pg/ml, Group B from 101 (60-178) to 45 (29-91) pg/ml, (P<0.05, respectively)]. Compared with conventional therapy alone, atorvastatin significantly further reduced plasma MCP-1 concentrations. There was no significant correlation between the degree of changes in plasma MCP-1 and LDL-C. In vitro, atorvastatin inhibits production of MCP-1 up to 73%, in a concentration-dependent manner, and suppressed MCP-1 expression in peripheral blood monocytes. Conclusions: Atorvastatin reduced plasma MCP-1 concentrations in patients with ACS. These effects may explain some clinical benefits of statins in the treatment of these patients. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.