Association of statins with inflammatory cytokines: A population-based Colaus study

Purpose: A pleiotropic effect of statins has been reported in numerous studies. However, the association between statin use and inflammatory cytokines is controversial. We examined the associations between statin use and C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a healthy Caucasian population. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 6184 participants aged 35-75 years from Lausanne, Switzerland. Cytokines were assessed by multiplexed particle-based flow cytometric assay. Self-reported history of medication was collected for statins and other medication. 99 participants without cytokine data were excluded. Results: Among the 6085 participants, 2289 (37.6%), 451 (7.4%) and 43 (0.7%) had IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels below detection limits, respectively. On multivariate analysis adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, baseline cardiovascular disease, total cholesterol, anti-inflammatory use, other cytokine modifying drugs and other drugs, participants on statins had significantly lower CRP levels (adjusted mean +/- standard error: 1.22 +/- 1.05 vs. 1.38 +/- 1.04 mg/L for use and non-use, respectively, p < 0.01 on log-transformed data). Conversely, no association was found between statin use and IL-1 beta (p = 0.91), IL-6 (p = 0.25) or TNF-alpha (p = 0.28) levels. On multivariate analysis, individuals in the statin group (beta coefficient = -0.12; 95% CI =-0.21, -0.03) had lower levels of CRP as compared to those in the reference group (i.e. those not using statin). However, no significant associations were observed between IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha and statins. Conclusion: Individuals on statins have lower CRP levels; conversely, no effect was found for IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.