No effect of high-dose atorvastatin on leukotriene B(4) formation from neutrophils in patients treated with coronary bypass surgery::a randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded trial with a crossover design

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease, (CVD) and leukotrienes may play a role in atherogenesis. Statins reduce mortality from CVD by reducing LDL cholesterol and potentially by other (pleiotropic) mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate if atorvastatin exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) formation from stimulated neutrophils in patients treated with coronary artery bypass grafting. The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover study. Patients (n=80) were allocated to 80mg atorvastatin or placebo for 6 weeks before crossing over to the opposite treatment for another 6 weeks. There was no significant correlation between baseline LDL cholesterol levels on formation of LTB(4), and atorvastatin had no effect on LTB(4) formation. Hence, this study does not support any effect of atorvastatin on LTB(4) formation as part of the explanation for its beneficial effect on CVD.