Comparison of the effect of simvastatin versus simvastatin/ezetimibe versus rosuvastatin on markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in subjects with hypercholesterolemia.

OBJECTIVES: Statins may exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Whether different statins at equivalent doses or the combination of low-dose statin with ezetimibe have comparable anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of simvastatin, simvastatin/ezetimibe or rosuvastatin at equivalent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering doses on inflammation and oxidative stress indices in subjects with hypercholesterolemia.

METHODS: This was a pre-specified analysis of a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE) study. We enrolled one hundred and fifty three (n = 153) hypercholesterolemic subjects who were randomized to receive simvastatin 40 mg or simvastatin/ezetimibe 10/10 mg or rosuvastatin 10 mg daily. Plasma 8-Epi prostaglandin F2 alpha (8-epiPGF2a), oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity and mass were measured at baseline and following 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS: A significant reduction in plasma 8-isoprostane and oxLDL levels was observed in all treatment groups [by 10%, 8% and 6% (p < 0.05 compared with baseline) and 41%, 40% and 39% (p < 0.001 compared with baseline) in simvastatin, simvastatin/ezetimibe and rosuvastatin groups, respectively]. In all treatment groups a significant reduction in total plasma Lp-PLA2 activity and mass was observed (by 36%, 31% and 38% and 36%, 32% and 32% for simvastatin, simvastatin/ezetimibe and rosuvastatin, respectively, p < 0.001 compared with baseline). No intergroup differences were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Simvastatin 40 mg, simvastatin/ezetimibe 10/10 mg and rosuvastatin 10 mg significantly reduced 8-epiPGF2a, oxLDL and Lp-PLA2 activity and mass to a similar extent.