Short-term impacts of low dose atorvastatin on serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 in patients with atherosclerosis

Abstract

Purpose: The short-term, dose-dependent effects of low-dose of atorvastatin and rapid impacts of a single dose of atorvastatin on PCSK9 has less been investigated. Methods: In this randomized study, 58 patients were enrolled. In protocol I, 31 patients were divided to atorvastatin 10mg/d (n=19) and 20mg/d (n=13) for 8 weeks. Serum PCSK9 and lipid profile were determined at day 0, week 4 and 8 In protocol II, 26 patients were randomized to a single dose of 10mg atorvastatin (n=11) and 80mg (n=15), and serum levels of PCSK9 were measured at 24 hours after treatment. Results: Atorvastatin 10mg/d decreased LDL-C by 32% at 4 weeks and by 33% at 8 weeks; and, atorvastatin 20mg/d resulted in reduction of LDL-C by 41% at 4 weeks and by 38% at 8 weeks. Atorvastatin 10mg/d slightly increased serum PCSK9 by 5%-7% but without significant difference, while atorvastatin 20mg/d significantly increased serum PCSK9 by 30% at 4 weeks and by 35% at 8 weeks (p=0.009 and p=0.002, respectively). In addition, upon a single dose of treatment by 24 hours, atorvastatin 10mg significantly increased serum PCSK9 by 13% and atorvastatin 80mg by 27% (p=0.042 and p=0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The short-time impact of low-dose atorvastatin on PCSK9 featured as a time- and dose-dependent manner and rapid impact on PCSK9 occurred even as early as 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner.