Effects of high dose atorvastatin on nerve function and expression of NF-kappa B and IL-6 in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of high-dose atorvastatin on nerve function and the levels of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods The clinical data of 72 patients with acute cerebral infarction treated by atorvastatin in our hospital from February 2017 to August 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, who were divided into routine dose group (36 cases) and high dose group (36 cases). NF-κB, IL-6 and NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were compared between the two groups. Results Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of NF-κB and IL-6 and NIHSS score between the two groups (P>0.05); after 14 days of treatment, the levels of NF-κB and IL-6 in the high dose group were (0.54±0.13) ng/L, (115.32±16.97) ng/L, which were lower than those of the normal dose group [(0.69±0.12) ng/L, (131.12±18.95) ng/L], with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). On the 7th, 14th, and 21st day after treatment, the NIHSS score in the high-dose group were (9.19±3.15), (8.51±2.03), and (5.78±1.39), respectively, which were lower than those in the conventional dose group [(14.75±3.44), (14.53±3.16), (13.14±3.05)], with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion High dose of atorvastatin can effectively relieve inflammatory reaction and improve neurological function in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Key words: Acute cerebral infarction; Atorvastatin; High dose; Neurological function; Nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB); Interleukin-6 (IL-6)