Effects of simvastatin on carotenoid status in plasma

• Purpose: Carotenoids are potent antioxidants and immunomodulators mainly transported in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction. It is well known that low plasma carotenoids are associated with cardiovascular disease incidence. We investigated whether simvastatin altered the carotenoid status in plasma.Methods: A randomized double-blind study design was used. Eighty volunteers with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia received either simvastatin 40 mg or placebo for 6 weeks. Lipids, inflammatory markers, oxygenated carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin) and hydrocarbon carotenoids (alphacarotene, beta-carotene and lycopene) were measured in plasma.Results: After simvastatin therapy, total cholesterol, LDL, apolipoprotein B (apo B), oxidized LDL and C-reactive protein were significantly reduced. Simvastatin therapy also resulted in significantly reduced plasma levels of all crude major carotenoids. However, after adjustment for total cholesterol, LDL or apo B, all carotenoids except beta-cryptoxanthin increased during statin therapy (see Table). The carotenoids were inversely correlated with inflammatory markers but these correlations were abolished during simvastatin therapy.Conclusions: The increase in lipid-adjusted levels of carotenoids during simvastatin therapy suggest that lipoproteins had become enriched with carotenoids. The data highlight the risk to misinterpret the carotenoid status in individuals with statin therapy if relying on absolute plasma levels.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Statin; Carotenoid; Lipid; Lipoprotein; Inflammation

Cardiology

Kardiologi

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