Effect of atorvastatin on the level of serum hs - CRP, IL -6, IL -10 and neurological deficits in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of atorvastatin on the level of serum high -sensitivity C -reactive protein (hs - CRP) , interleukin -6 (IL -6), interleukin -10 (IL-10) and neurological deficits in patients with acute cerebral infartion ( ACI). Methods Ninety patients with ACI were randomly divided into the atorvastatin therapy group(n =45) and the conventional therapy group ( n =45). At the basic of conventional therapy, the atorvastatin therapy group was treated with atorvastatin 20 mg/d. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The levels of serum hs - CRP, IL -6 and IL - 10 were measured and the scores of neurological deficit scores ( NDS) were evaluated before and after treatment. A healthy control group which approximately matched the experimental group included 20 healty people. Results The level of serum hs - CRP, IL -6 in ACI patients was higher than that in the control groups, IL-10 in ACI patients was lower than that in the control groups( P ＜0.05). No difference of hs - CRP, IL -6 or IL-10 was found between the atorvastatin groups and the control groups before treatment ( P ＞0.05). But the level of hs - CRP and IL - 6 in atorvastatin groups decreased after treatment compared with control groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ). While the IL - 10 in atorvastatin group increased after treatment ( P ＜0. 05). The NDS in atorvastatin groups increased after treatment compared with control groups ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusions Atorvastatin can significantly decrease the level of serum hs - CRP and IL - 6, and increase the level of serum IL - 10. It can promote the neurological fuction recovery in patients with ACI. Atorvastatin may have anti - inflammatory effects and neuroprotection role. Key words: Atorvastatin; Acute cerebral infarction; High -sensitivity C -reactive protein; Interleukin-6; Interleukin - 10; Neurological deficit scores