Comparison of the effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on the levels of inflammatory markers and lipid profile in the patients with acute coronary syndrome: Randomized controlled double - blind clinical trial

Background: The role of lipids and inflammation in the patients with cardiovascular complications has been reported. The primary aim of the current randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial was to compare the influence of Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin on the lipid profile and inflammatory markers in the patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Methods: This study included 84 cases with approved diagnosis of ACS. Patients were randomized into two groups (42 cases each) and received Atorvastatin (80 mg/day) or Rosuvastatin (40 mg/day) for two months. After this period, levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and lipid profile was determined in serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: It was observed that there was a significant reduction in the TNF-α (P= 0.008) and MCP-1 (P= 0.001) levels in the Atorvastatin group. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the TNF-α (P= 0.001) and MCP-1 (P= 0.003) levels in the Rosuvastatin group. Atorvastatin caused statistically significant decreased levels of LDL (P= 0.014), TG (P= 0.012), and total cholesterol (P= 0.011). As such, Rosuvastatin also caused statistically significant reduced levels of LDL (P= 0.028), TG (P= 0.010), and total cholesterol (P= 0.003). No differences were observed in the levels of inflammatory markers and lipid factors between patients receiving Atorvastatin comparted to Rosuvastatin. Conclusions: Although both Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin seem to beneficial in soothing inflammation and decreasing the levels of lipids in ACS patients, none of them privilege the other one within this context. Keywords: acute coronary syndrome; atorvastatin; rosuvastatin; inflammation; lipid profile.