Abstract. Wiklund O, Mattsson‐Hultén L, Hurt‐Camejo E, Oscarsson J. Effects of simvastatin and atorvastatin on inflammation markers in plasma (Sahlgrenska University Hospital and Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden). J Intern Med 2002; 251: 338–347.

Objectives. To study the effect of statins on plasma markers for inflammation.

Design.  Patients with hypercholesterolemia were randomized in one of the following treatments: Simvastatin (S) + placebo: S 40 mg for 6 weeks – S 80 mg for 6 weeks – S 80 mg for 24 weeks and Atorvastatin (A) + placebo: A 20 mg for 6 weeks – A 40 mg for 6 weeks – A 80 mg for 24 weeks.

Subjects. Forty‐seven patients with hypercholesterolemia were recruited in four different outpatient clinics.

Main outcome measures. Samples were obtained at randomization after 6, 12 and 36 weeks. Plasma or serum was analysed for lipids and for inflammation markers: C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), soluble phospholipase A₂ (SPLA₂), intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6).

Results. The reduction in LDL was similar for the two statins, except at the highest dose of atorvastatin (41 vs. 47%). The increase in HDL tended to be more pronounced in the simvastatin group, significantly so on the highest dose of atorvastatin (P < 0.05). CRP and SAA was significantly reduced by atorvastatin, whilst no reduction was seen for simvastatin. There was a significant difference in treatment effects between the two statins. Both statins caused a reduction in SPLA₂. For IL‐6 and ICAM‐1 only small and inconsistent reductions were observed for both statins.

Conclusion. Atorvastatin reduced the liver‐derived acute‐phase reactants, CRP and SAA, whilst the effect of simvastatin was small or absent. Small and inconsistent effects were seen for both statins on plasma levels of IL‐6 and ICAM‐1.