BACKGROUND: The sickling process of sickle cell disease (SCD) has harmful effects on the vascular
endothelium manifested as vascular blockade, diminished tissue oxygenation, and consequently
reperfusion injury. Statins pleiotropic effects can be demonstrated through improvement of endothelial
function. Studies on the role of statins (e.g., atorvastatin) on endothelial dysfunction in SCD are
minimal.
OBJECTIVE: The objective is to assess the possible therapeutic use of atorvastatin in patients with SCD.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty SCD patients (15 female and 15 male) with a mean age of
27.0 ± 8.9 years and 30 healthy controls (18 female and 12 male) with a mean age of 29.7 ± 9.1 years
participated in the study. Endothelial function was assessed with flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and
endothelial independent dilatation (EID) of the brachial and common carotid arteries at baseline and
after 6 weeks therapy with atorvastatin, 20 mg/day.
RESULTS: SCD patients had diminished FMD% and EID% values compared with corresponding
values in the controls. The values were improved significantly after atorvastatin treatment (P = 0.002
for FMD%; P = 0.001 for EDI%).
CONCLUSION: SCD patients have endothelial dysfunction. Atorvastatin, 20 mg daily for 6 weeks,
improved the markers of endothelial function, FMD%, and EID%, in these patients
(FULL ARTICLE LINK) Read more ...
Journal of Applied Hematology - Volume 9, Issue 1, January-March 2018
|
|
|
