Effects of Simvastatin on the Levels of Soluble CD40L in Patients with Unstable Angina Pectoris

Objective: To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the serum levels of soluble CD40L(sCD40L)in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Methods: 48 patients with UAP were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (given placebo) and Group B (treated with simvastatin), and the serum levels of sCD40L and total cholesterol (TC) were measured by ELISA and enzyme assay, respectively. Results: The serum levels of sCD40L of group B was significantly lower than those of group A after having been treated for 2,4 and 6 weeks.(P 0.05,P 0.01,P 0.01 respectively),group B having been treated for 2,4,6 weeks, their levels of sCD40L were markedly lower than those before treatment (P 0.05,P 0.01,P 0.01 respectively ). The levels of plasma TC were considerably lower than before in group B after having been treated for 2, 4and 6 weeks (P 0.05,P 0.01,P 0.01 respectively). There were no significant correlation between the decrease of sCD40L levels and that of TC in group B (P 0.05). Conclusions: Both simvastatin not only decrease the levels of TC, but also reduce the expression of sCD40L,so it may benefit to atherosclerotic plaque stabilization.