Comparison of the effects of atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on the levels of inflammatory markers and lipid profile in the patients with acute coronary syndrome: Randomized controlled double - blind clinical trial

Background: The role of lipids and inflammation in the patients with cardiovascular complications has been reported. The primary aim of the current randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial was to compare the influence of Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin on the lipid profile and inflammatory markers in the patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Methods: This study included 84 cases with approved diagnosis of ACS. Patients were randomized into two groups (42 cases each) and received Atorvastatin (80 mg/day) or Rosuvastatin (40 mg/day) for two months. After this period, levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and lipid profile was determined in serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: It was observed that there was a significant reduction in the TNF-α (P= 0.008) and MCP-1 (P= 0.001) levels in the Atorvastatin group. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the TNF-α (P= 0.001) and MCP-1 (P= 0.003) levels in the Rosuvastatin group. Atorvastatin caused statistically significant decreased levels of LDL (P= 0.014), TG (P= 0.012), and total cholesterol (P= 0.011). As such, Rosuvastatin also caused statistically significant reduced levels of LDL (P= 0.028), TG (P= 0.010), and total cholesterol (P= 0.003). No differences were observed in the levels of inflammatory markers and lipid factors between patients receiving Atorvastatin comparted to Rosuvastatin. Conclusions: Although both Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin seem to beneficial in soothing inflammation and decreasing the levels of lipids in ACS patients, none of them privilege the other one within this context.