The role of statins in inflammatory vasculitides

Abstract

While the statins are best known for their cholesterol lowering capabilities, they also appear to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and endothelial-repairing properties that have raised the question as to whether this class of drugs can be of benefit in non-atherosclerotic, acute and chronic vasculitides. These effects, independent of the lipid-lowering effects, make the statins a class of drugs that are primed for repurposing and being used in disease states where innate and adaptive immunity and endothelial damage play a key role. Thus far, statins have been used in Behcet's, rheumatoid arthritis and Kawasaki disease with some promising results. Further study is needed to better understand the innate and adaptive immunological response to statins in cardiovascular diseases as well as the full potential of statins in acute and chronic inflammatory vasculitides.