The influence of rosuvastatin treatment on atherosclerotic plaque stabilization

Abstract

The aim of our study was to assess the influence of rosuvastatin on coronary angiogenesis. 30 male patients with
chronic coronary heart disease and total cholesterol level >5.2 mmol/l were treated with rosuvastatin 10 mg daily
during 3 months. The serum level of total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C),
triglycerides (TG) as well as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), vascular endothelial growth
factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were measured initially and in 3 months. There was
the significant decreasing of TC, LDL-C and TG concentrations. IL-6 and CRP serum levels were also decreased
after rosuvastatin therapy. Three months of treatment resulted to significant decrease of VEGF with no changes
of bFGF levels. The correlation was not found between CRP and VEGF levels and between IL-6 and VEGF levels.
Also there was no correlation between the degree of decreasing CRP and VEGF, and IL-6 and VEGF. So we have
shown significant decreasing of VEGF serum levels on rosuvastatin therapy. It could be possible mechanism of
plaque stabilization in patients with coronary heart disease.