Abstract
To investigate whether statins reduce the concentration of MMP-9 in the aortic wall, we randomised patients undergoing elective open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) to a pre-operative course of either simvastatin or placebo. MMPs in aortic biopsies were measured using gelatin zymography. Although recruitment closed early because of increasing statin use among eligible patients, with only 21 patients we demonstrated a 40% reduction in MMP-9 levels in the AAA wall in patients randomised to simvastatin. This provides a possible molecular mechanism to explain the reportedly beneficial effects of statins to slow AAA growth.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 302-303 |
Number of pages | 2 |
Journal | European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery |
Volume | 34 |
Issue number | 3 |
Early online date | 18 Jun 2007 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- Cytokines
- Matrix Metalloproteases
- Randomised Clinical Trial
- Statins