Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
1
pubmed:dateCreated
2005-2-21
pubmed:abstractText
Although not currently indicated for chronic heart failure (CHF), statins have been associated with improved outcome in retrospective analysis. However, statin therapy reduces plasma levels of coenzyme Q(10) (ubiquinone), which may have adverse effects on heart failure states. We hypothesized that atorvastatin treatment improves endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure independent of LDL-cholesterol alterations. Furthermore, we assessed how reductions in coenzyme Q(10) levels impact on potentially improved endothelial function. Twenty-four patients with stable, symptomatic heart failure (New York Heart Association Class II or III) and a left ventricular ejection fraction <40% were randomised to 40 mg atorvastatin or placebo for 6 weeks and crossed over to the other treatment arm for a further 6 weeks, after a 2-week wash out. Forearm resistance vessel function was assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography during infusion of acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) into the brachial artery. Atorvastatin treatment lowered triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and coenzyme Q(10) levels (all p<0.001) and improved endothelium-dependent vasodilatation during acetylcholine infusion (p=0.015). Endothelium-dependent forearm blood flow improvements correlated with reductions in coenzyme Q(10) levels (p=0.011), but not with LDL-cholesterol levels (p=0.084). Coenzyme Q(10) remained the significant variable predicting improvement in NO dependent endothelial function after adjusting for LDL-cholesterol levels (p=0.041). In conclusion, short-term atorvastatin therapy improved endothelial function in chronic heart failure patients. Further studies are required to determine whether coenzyme Q(10) reductions are limiting the maximum favourable effects of statin therapy on the microcirculation.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0021-9150
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
179
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
201-6
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2005
pubmed:articleTitle
Endothelium-ameliorating effects of statin therapy and coenzyme Q10 reductions in chronic heart failure.
pubmed:affiliation
Lipid and Diabetes Research Group, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't