BACKGROUND: Statins are widely used in the management of coronary risk because of their efficacy in reducing LDL and their potentially protective pleiotropic effects. Imbalances in the status of trace elements such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) have been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the effects of simvastatin on serum Zn, Cu, Zn:Cu ratio, selenium (Se), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in dyslipidemic patients. METHODS:Seventy-seven dyslipidemic patients, who were not originally taking lipid lowering agents, were assigned to receive simvastatin (40 mg/day) and placebo in alternate orders in a double-blind cross-over trial for a period of 4 weeks with a 2-week wash-out period. Serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Se, Cp, and SOD were measured before and after each treatment period. RESULTS: Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant effect of statin therapy on serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Zn:Cu ratio, Se, Cp, and SOD (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Four-week treatment with simvastatin (40 mg/day) is not associated with any beneficial or adverse effect on serum trace element (Zn, Cu and Se) status as well as enzymatic activities of Cp and SOD. However, the impacts of statin type as well as treatment dose and duration on these parameters remain to be clarified.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Statins are widely used in the management of coronary risk because of their efficacy in reducing LDL and their potentially protective pleiotropic effects. Imbalances in the status of trace elements such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) have been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study investigated the effects of simvastatin on serum Zn, Cu, Zn:Cu ratio, selenium (Se), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in dyslipidemic patients. METHODS: Seventy-seven dyslipidemic patients, who were not originally taking lipid lowering agents, were assigned to receive simvastatin (40 mg/day) and placebo in alternate orders in a double-blind cross-over trial for a period of 4 weeks with a 2-week wash-out period. Serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Se, Cp, and SOD were measured before and after each treatment period. RESULTS: Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant effect of statin therapy on serum concentrations of Zn, Cu, Zn:Cu ratio, Se, Cp, and SOD (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Four-week treatment with simvastatin (40 mg/day) is not associated with any beneficial or adverse effect on serum trace element (Zn, Cu and Se) status as well as enzymatic activities of Cp and SOD. However, the impacts of statin type as well as treatment dose and duration on these parameters remain to be clarified.