The statin-iron nexus: Anti-inflammatory intervention for arterial disease prevention

L.R. Zacharski, R.G. DePalma, G. Shamayeva and B.K. Chow

American Journal of Public Health, 2013, vol. 103, issue 4, e105-e112

Abstract: Objectives: We postulated the existence of a statin-iron nexus by which statins improve cardiovascular disease outcomes at least partially by countering proinflammatory effects of excess iron stores. Methods: Using data from a clinical trial of iron (ferritin) reduction in advanced peripheral arterial disease, the Iron and Atherosclerosis Study, we compared effects of ferritin levels versus high-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein ratios (both were randomization variables) on clinical outcomes in participants receiving and not receiving statins. Results: Statins increased high-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein ratios and reduced ferritin levels by noninteracting mechanisms. Improved clinical outcomes were associated with lower ferritin levels but not with improved lipid status. Conclusions: There are commonalities between the clinical benefits of statins and the maintenance of physiologic iron levels. Iron reduction may be a safe and low-cost alternative to statins.

Keywords: high density lipoprotein; hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor; iron; low density lipoprotein, aged; article; atherosclerosis; blood; chi square distribution; controlled clinical trial; controlled study; female; government; human; inflammation; iron overload; male; metabolism; peripheral occlusive artery disease; proportional hazards model; prospective study; randomized controlled trial; statistical model; United States, Aged; Atherosclerosis; Chi-Square Distribution; Female; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Inflammation; Iron; Iron Overload; Linear Models; Lipoproteins, HDL; Lipoproteins, LDL; Male; Peripheral Arterial Disease; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; United States; United States Department of Veterans Affairs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.301163_4

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301163

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