The Carotid Intima–Media Thickness Modification Following Atorvastatin is Bound to the Modification of the Oxidative Balance

BACKGROUND: Despite the reduction in cholesterol (CH) levels, the modification of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is not evident in all the patients treated with statins. Activities other than CH reduction may determine the improvement in CIMT. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with hypercholesterolemia (aged 45-60; males) with CIMT increase started the treatment with atorvastatin. The CIMT (via echography), CH level, and the oxidative balance (OB) were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks. The OB consisted of the determination of the plasmatic hydroperoxides (reactive oxygen metabolites [d-ROMs] test) and the antioxidant reserve (plasma antioxidants test [PAT]). The d-ROMs/CH and PAT/CH ratios allowed to measure, respectively, the oxidative index (OI) and the protective index (PI). The OI/PI ratio represented the OB Risk Index (OBRI) to be compared with the CIMT modifications. RESULTS: An average reduction of 22% in CH was achieved in the group of patients together with an increase in both OI and PI (16% and 39% respectively) with a significant improvement in OBRI from 2.6 to 1.7 (analysis of variance P < .01). A reduction of >20% in CIMT was obtained in 10 patients whereas in the 12 patients no modification of CIMT was detected, despite the same CH reduction (-55 ± 24.8 and -66 ± 27.1 mg/dL respectively; P > .05). Only those patients with a decrease in OBRI ≥0.8 showed a reduction in CIMT >20%. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, a significant modification in CIMT was obtained with atorvastatin treatment only in those patients showing an improvement in the OB (OBRI > 0.8).