Atorvastatin decreases high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in multiple sclerosis.

Author(s): Sellner J, Greeve I, Mattle HP

Affiliation(s): Department of Neurology, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. sellner@lrz.tum.de

Publication date & source: 2008-08, Mult Scler., 14(7):981-4. Epub 2008 Jun 23.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

The anti-inflammatory potential of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, as reflected by modulation of C-reactive protein (CRP), might be beneficial in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated serum levels of high-sensitivity (hs)-CRP in relapsing-remitting MS patients receiving interferon-beta 1b and atorvastatin as add-on therapy. This study shows that interferon-beta treatment is associated with increased serum levels of hs-CRP in MS patients (P<0.01). In contrast, when atorvastatin is added to interferon-beta, hs-CRP serum levels decrease to the normal range (P<0.05), indicating an anti-inflammatory action of atorvastatin in MS. However, whether add-on treatment with atorvastatin modifies the course of MS remains to be investigated.