Comparison of effects of simvastatin versus atorvastatin on oxidative stress in patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have antiatherogenic effects beyond their cholesterol-lowing effect. Whether atorvastatin has a stronger antioxidant effect than other statins is uncertain.

HYPOTHESIS: To determine the effects of simvastatin and atorvastatin on markers of oxidative stress in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODS: This study was comprised of 164 patients with CHD and a control population of 122 healthy subjects. The patients with CHD were divided into 2 groups and treated with either simvastatin 20 mg/day or atorvastatin 10 mg/day. The markers of oxidative stress were measured before and after 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS: The effects of atorvastatin on reducing oxidative stress were significantly greater compared with those of simvastatin (P < 0.05). The changes in the markers of oxidative stress did not correlate with the changes in the plasma lipid profile (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that atorvastatin reduces oxidative stress more effectively than simvastatin.