Evaluation of Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Pitavastatin with Monocyte Count to HDL Cholesterol Ratio in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

INTRODUCTION: Monocyte count to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (MHR) was proposed as a novel inflammation marker. Statins have some anti-inflammatory pleiotropic effects as well as lipid-lowering effects. This study aims to examine the effect of lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin on MHR in patients with coronary heart disease.
METHODS: This was a descriptive study, single-center study. Hospital registries between October 2018 and April 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Eligible patients were those who had both stable coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >100 mg/dL and started to take treatment (pitavastatin, 4 mg/day). Pre-and post-treatment complete blood count values and lipid parameters were evaluated, and MHR was calculated.
RESULTS: This study enrolled 150 patients. Pitavastatin (4 mg/day) was administered throughout median 3.0 (1.0-7.0) months. Mean total cholesterol level declined from 235.2±52.3 mg/dl to 186.9±48.8 mg/dl (p<0.001). Mean triglyceride level declined from 167.2±75.0 mg/dl to 152.8±66.7 mg/dl and mean LDL-C level declined from 153.9±45.0 mg/dl to 109.0±41.2 mg/dl (p=0.020 and p<0.001, respectively). Moreover, pre-treatment MHR declined from 1.4 (0.4-4.0) to post-treatment MHR 1.3 (0.5-3.4) (p=0.263).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study concluded that pitavastatin improved serum lipid levels but did not decrease MHR.