CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 35, no. 2, 2009

Statins Therapy, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Levels and Type 2 Diabetes

[Review]

Floriana Elvira Ionica(1), Maria Mota(2), Catalina Pisoschi(1), Florica Popescu(1), Eliza Gofita(1)


(1)Faculty of Farmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Craiova;
(2)Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Craiova


Abstract:

Purpose: The effectiveness of therapy with hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, for reducing elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and cardiovascular risk at patient with type 2 diabetes. Atherosclerotic plaque growth may be attenuated with therapy aimed at minimizing inflammation. CRP is considered to be a major inflammatory cytokine that functions as a non-specific defense mechanism in response to tissue injury or infection. Synthesized mainly in the liver, CRP activity is stimulated by other cytokines, especially interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1b, and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). CRP binds to a variety of molecules, particularly liposomes and lipoproteins, such as LDL and VLDL cholesterol, and is a powerful activator of the classic complement way. Accumulating evidence suggests that CRP, which is also found within macrophages of atherosclerotic plaques, is causally or mechanistically related to atherothrombosis. Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Because increased levels of CRP have been associated with arterial-wall inflammation, statins can prevent ischemia by both inhibiting deposition of lipids and decreasing inflammation. Conclusions: Inflammation underlies diabetes and may predict it. The role of lowering CRP in reducing the risk for and improving the prognosis of diabetes is undergoing assessment. The lowering of elevated CRP levels by statins may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events independently of the effect of statins on lipid levels. The results of ongoing clinical trials will continue to provide data on the additive value of testing levels of CRP and other inflammatory markers for cardiovascular risk assessment and should delineate the clinical utility of such testing in various disease states.


Keywords: statins, C-reactive protein, diabetes type 2, cardiovascular risk



Corresponding: Asist. univ. drd. Floriana Ionica, Dept of Toxicology Faculty of Farmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Craiova, E-mail: floriana_umf@yahoo.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.35.02.01 - Download PDF
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