Estrogen/Statin-Kombination: Wirkung auf Marker für die Plaquestabilität

Abstract

Purpose: At present a particularly important question in the field of hormone replacement therapy (HT) is how women with increased cardiovascular risk as indication for HT can be treated. The most recent intervention studies point to the fact that hormone-induced cardiovascular risks in patients can be avoided with statin treatment. So far there are only few investigations into the combination of statins and HT. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the individual substances and their combinations on known markers of plaque stability. Material and Methods: As a cell model endothelial cells and muscle cells from the human female coronary artery were applied. Markers of plaque stability were the chemokine MCP-1, the matrixmetalloproteinase MMP-1, and the growth factor VEGF. Fluvastatin and estradiol were tested alone and in equimolar combinations in the concentrations 0.1,1 and 10 μM. Results: Fluvastatin significantly reduced the synthesis of all three markers. Estradiol showed a significant inhibition for pro-MMP 1 and VEGF. Neither significant additive nor antagonistic effects were observed for the combination of both substances. Conclusion: Inhibiting effects of statins on markers of plaque stability remain effective in combination with estradiol, so that women, adjusted to statins, can be treated with HT. This has yet to be proven in further clinical studies.