Lymphocyte-suppressing action of simvastatin in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia.

BACKGROUND No previous study examined whether statins affect lymphocyte cytokine release in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia. METHODS The study included 46 patients with elevated triglyceride levels and peripheral artery stenosis, randomly assigned to receive simvastatin or placebo. Plasma lipids, glucose homeostasis markers, plasma C-reactive protein and lymphocyte cytokine release were measured at baseline and at the end of the treatment. RESULTS Ninety-day simvastatin treatment reduced lymphocyte release of TNF-α, interleukin-2 and interferon-γ, which was accompanied by a decrease in plasma C-reactive protein. CONCLUSION The obtained results suggest that statins produce lymphocyte-suppressing and systemic anti-inflammatory effects in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia.