Effect of Statin Therapy on C-reactive Protein Levels in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)

Overview

Hypothesis for this pilot study is that simvastatin will lower the levels of CRP and ET-1 in COPD patients.

Patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) have an ongoing systemic inflammation, which can be assessed by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is found to be a strong and independent predictor of future COPD outcomes. Statins are a class of cholesterol lowering drugs that decrease mortality from cardiovascular disease and stroke. In addition, they have anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory properties. Statins lower C-reactive protein by the ability to reduce the production of interleukin (IL)-6, the cytokine that activates the acute phase CRP response. Thus the rationale for this study is to evaluate effect of statins on the levels of CRP and ET-1 in COPD patients.

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes