Background: No previous study examined whether statins affect lymphocyte cytokine release in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia.
Methods: The study included 46 patients with elevated triglyceride levels and peripheral artery stenosis, randomly assigned to receive simvastatin or placebo. Plasma lipids, glucose homeostasis markers, plasma C-reactive protein and lymphocyte cytokine release were measured at baseline and at the end of the treatment.
Results: Ninety-day simvastatin treatment reduced lymphocyte release of TNF-α, interleukin-2 and interferon-γ, which was accompanied by a decrease in plasma C-reactive protein.
Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that statins produce lymphocyte-suppressing and systemic anti-inflammatory effects in patients with isolated hypertriglyceridemia.