Sympathoinhibition by atorvastatin in hypertensive patients.
Publication year
2010Source
Circulation Journal, 74, 12, (2010), pp. 2622-2626ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

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Organization
Cardiology
Internal Medicine
Paediatrics - OUD tm 2017
Journal title
Circulation Journal
Volume
vol. 74
Issue
iss. 12
Page start
p. 2622
Page end
p. 2626
Subject
NCEBP 14: Cardiovascular diseases; NCEBP 6: Quality of nursing and allied health careAbstract
BACKGROUND: Experimental animal data suggest that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) might reduce enhanced sympathetic activity, a hallmark of hypertensive patients. This hypothesis was tested for the first time in patients with primary hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over design, a proof-of-principle trial was performed in 13 patients with mild to moderate primary hypertension, who were randomly assigned to a regimen of atorvastatin (80mg/day) for 3 weeks, followed by placebo for 3 weeks or to a regimen of placebo for 3 weeks, followed by atorvastatin (80mg/day) for 3 weeks. Microneurography was used at the end of each treatment period to measure sympathetic nervous system activity (muscle sympathetic nerve activity: MSNA). Heart rate variability (HRV) and plasma norepinephrine concentrations were also measured. Additionally, effects on blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed by 24-h ambulatory BP measurement. Atorvastatin reduced postganglionic MSNA (atorvastatin 35.0+/-2.0 vs placebo: 39.2+/-1.5 bursts/min, P=0.008) and heart frequency corrected MSNA (atorvastatin: 58.5+/-2.0 vs placebo: 64.7+/-3.0 bursts/100 beats, P=0.02). Atorvastatin had no significant effect on plasma norepinephrine levels, HRV, BP or HR. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with mild to moderate hypertension, atorvastatin reduces postganglionic MSNA, which supports the hypothesis that HMG-CoA reductase plays a role in sympathetic nervous system activity.
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- Academic publications [203793]
- Electronic publications [102109]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [80320]
- Open Access publications [70806]
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