The Influence of Lipid Lowering on Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor I in Patients with Angina Pectoris

Journal of Clinical and Basic Cardiology 2005; 8 (1-4): 65-68

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Keywords: Hypercholesterinämie,  Kardiologie,  sTNF-Rezeptor,  cardiology,  hypercholesterinaemia,  sTNF-RI

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. It has been suggested that the beneficial effects of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors on survival of patients with ischaemic heart disease may partly derive from their anti-inflammatory properties. Aim of the study was to determine levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF-RI) in patients with hypercholesterolaemia and angina pectoris, in a group of asymptomatic subjects (n = 20) with elevated serum cholesterol levels and in a control group (n = 20). Furthermore, we wanted to investigate the possible influence of 3-month treatment with simvastatin on plasma concentrations of sTNF-RI. Results: Baseline concentrations of sTNF-RI in plasma were significantly higher in patients with hypercholesterolaemia and angina pectoris compared to the control group (1259 ± 90 pg/ml vs. 913 ± 98 pg/ml, p = 0.0366). Baseline sTNF-RI levels in hypercholesterolaemic subjects (1004 ± 92 pg/ml) were not significantly different from those in patients with angina pectoris or controls. In both study groups simvastatin had no effect on plasma sTNF-RI concentrations (patients with angina pectoris: 1259 ± 90 pg/ml vs. 1206 ± 117 pg/ml, hypercholesterolaemic subjects: 1004 ± 92 pg/ml vs. 929 ± 66 pg/ml). Conclusions: (1) Patients with hypercholesterolaemia and angina pectoris have increased soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I plasma levels in comparison with healthy subjects. (2) 3-month therapy with simvastatin has no effect on sTNF-RI concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic patients with, or without, ischaemic heart disease.