A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Coronary reactivity, homocysteine and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene variation in young men during pravastatin therapy
Authors: Nieminen T, Knuuti J, Hamelahti P, Kahonen M, Laaksonen R, Janatuinen T, Vesalainen R, Nuutila P, Jokela H, Lehtimaki T
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
Publication year: 2007
Journal: Vascular Pharmacology
Journal name in source: VASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
Journal acronym: VASC PHARMACOL
Volume: 47
Issue: 2-3
First page : 113
Last page: 117
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 1537-1891
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vph.2007.05.001
Abstract
High plasma homocysteine (Hey) has been linked to impaired endothelial function. We investigated whether treatment with pravastatin affects the Hey levels. Moreover, we studied whether the methylenetetrahydro to late reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism affects coronary vasomotion at baseline and during the treatment with pravastatin. Fifty-one healthy, mildly hypercholesterolemic men (mean age 35 4 years) attended this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The volunteers were randomised into groups with 6-month treatment with pravastatin (40 mg/day, n = 25) or placebo (n = 26). Coronary blood flow measurements with positron emission tomography at rest and during adenosine infusion as well as biochemical analyses were done at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. The Hey concentration decreased significantly during the pravastatin therapy (-0.81 +/- 1.46 mu mol/l, p = 0.01), but not during placebo (0.02 +/- 2.39 mu mol/l, p = 0.97). The MTHFR polymorphism did not affect the Hey concentration or coronary flow indices. Neither did the MTHFR polymorphism modulate the effects of pravastatin on coronary vasomotion. In conclusion, a 6-month therapy with pravastatin decreases Hey concentration in Finnish healthy young men. The MTHFR genotype is neither a determinant of baseline coronary flow indices nor does it modulate the effect of pravastatin on coronary reactivity. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
High plasma homocysteine (Hey) has been linked to impaired endothelial function. We investigated whether treatment with pravastatin affects the Hey levels. Moreover, we studied whether the methylenetetrahydro to late reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism affects coronary vasomotion at baseline and during the treatment with pravastatin. Fifty-one healthy, mildly hypercholesterolemic men (mean age 35 4 years) attended this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The volunteers were randomised into groups with 6-month treatment with pravastatin (40 mg/day, n = 25) or placebo (n = 26). Coronary blood flow measurements with positron emission tomography at rest and during adenosine infusion as well as biochemical analyses were done at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. The Hey concentration decreased significantly during the pravastatin therapy (-0.81 +/- 1.46 mu mol/l, p = 0.01), but not during placebo (0.02 +/- 2.39 mu mol/l, p = 0.97). The MTHFR polymorphism did not affect the Hey concentration or coronary flow indices. Neither did the MTHFR polymorphism modulate the effects of pravastatin on coronary vasomotion. In conclusion, a 6-month therapy with pravastatin decreases Hey concentration in Finnish healthy young men. The MTHFR genotype is neither a determinant of baseline coronary flow indices nor does it modulate the effect of pravastatin on coronary reactivity. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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