Effect of a Single 20-mg Tablet of Atorvastatin on Brachial Artery Blood Flow in Normolipidemic Male Smokers Versus Nonsmokers

doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2007.04.021

The American Journal of Cardiology

Volume 100, Issue 5, 1 September 2007, Pages 881-884

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2007.04.021 Get rights and content

This study evaluated the acute effect of statin administration in smokers. We conducted a prospective study to determine the acute effect (24 hours) of single-dose atorvastatin (20 mg) on brachial artery endothelial function using vascular ultrasonography (flow-mediated vasodilation [FMD]) and blood flow in normolipidemic smokers (10 men, 42 ± 9 years of age) and healthy nonsmokers (10 men, 39 ± 7 years of age). Atorvastatin increased brachial artery percent FMD in smokers from 4.1 ± 1.4% to 5.7 ± 1.7% (p <0.0005), whereas we found no significant change after atorvastatin in nonsmokers (from 5.8 ± 1.2% to 5.9 ± 1.2%, p = NS). The velocity time integral also showed a significant increase as percent FMD in smokers 24 hours after taking atorvastatin (from 19 ± 11 to 25 ± 12 cm, p <0.05), whereas no significant change occurred in nonsmokers (from 18 ± 9 to 19 ± 10 cm, p = NS). Baseline brachial artery diameter significantly dilated in smokers after taking atorvastatin compared with before taking atorvastatin (from 4.23 ± 0.5 to 4.35 ± 0.4 mm, p <0.05), but did not change in nonsmokers (from 4.26 ± 0.6 to 4.31 ± 0.6 mm, p = NS). In conclusion, single-dose atorvastatin restores endothelial function and increases brachial artery blood flow in normolipidemic men smokers within 24 hours. These findings suggest early benefits of statin therapy on endothelial function in smokers.

Section snippets

Methods and Results

We studied 10 men smokers (mean Brinkman index [number cigarettes per day times years] 383) with a mean age of 42 ± 9 years (range 33 to 55) and 10 age- and gender-matched healthy nonsmokers with a mean age of 39 ± 7 years (range 27 to 48). Subjects were excluded from this study if they were taking statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or vitamin C or E or if they had a contraindication to statins, systemic hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, family history of premature

Discussion

This is the first study to demonstrate that single-dose (20 mg) atorvastatin (1) restores brachial artery endothelial function in normolipidemic men smokers within 24 hours, (2) increases brachial artery blood flow, and (3) decreases the RI, a marker of peripheral vascular resistance. This effect was not seen in healthy age- and gender-matched nonsmokers. This effect was independent in baseline LDL cholesterol levels or decreased in LDL cholesterol levels at 24 hours. Beckman et al⁶ and Agewall

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: This study was supported by the Uehara Memorial Foundation, Tokyo, Japan, and the Lee E. Siegel, MD, Memorial Fund, Los Angeles, California. Pfizer, Inc. (New York, New York) provided the atorvastatin.

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MiscellaneousEffect of a Single 20-mg Tablet of Atorvastatin on Brachial Artery Blood Flow in Normolipidemic Male Smokers Versus Nonsmokers

Section snippets

Methods and Results

Discussion

The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: the JNC 7 report

JAMA

Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) final report

Circulation

Standards of medical care in diabetes

Diabetes Care

Miscellaneous
Effect of a Single 20-mg Tablet of Atorvastatin on Brachial Artery Blood Flow in Normolipidemic Male Smokers Versus Nonsmokers