Simvastatin Treatment is not Associated with Changes in Serum Concentrations of Heat Shock Proteins -60 and -70 in Patients with Dyslipidemia

Increased heat shock protein (Hsp) expression is associated with atherogenesis. The statin group of cholesterol lowering drugs reduces cardiovascular events and this may be related to their pleiotropic effects that may include their anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 40 mg simvastatin on serum levels of Hsp-60 and -70 in dyslipidemic individuals. Patients (n=102) were treated with simvastatin (40mg/day), or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Lipid profile and serum Hsp-60 and -70 antigen levels were measured before and after each treatment period. Seventy-seven subjects completed the study. Data were analyzed using Independent-Samples t-test for parametric data and Mann–Whitney test for non-parametric data and chi-square test for categorical data. There was a reduction in the level of LDL-C (p<0.001), total cholesterol (p<0.001), and triglycerides (p<0.05). However, simvastatin therapy did not significantly alter the serum level of HDL-C, Hsp-60 and -70 (p>0.05). We found that statin therapy did not significantly affect the serum level of HSP-60 and -70.