Influence of atorvastatin on scavenger receptor of monocytes/macrophages in patients with coronary heart disease

AIM: To observe activity of scavenger receptor of macrophage derived from monocytes, the change of inflammation factor in plasma (including CRP, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1) and the influence of atorvastatin on activity of scavenger receptor in patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS: 75 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), whose plasma lipid levels were normal, were divided into three groups: stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardia infarction. 29 healthy persons were served as control. The level of C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in plasma were determined in all subjects. Monocytes in peripheral blood were dissevered and cultured to transform into macrophage. The influence of atorvastatin on activity of scavenger receptor in macrophage was observed. RESULTS: The level of CRP, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and activity of scavenger receptor of macrophage in acute myocardia infarction group were higher than that in stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris and control. Atorvastatin lowered the activity of scavenger receptor of macrophages derived from monocytes in patients with coronary heart disease. Activity of scavenger receptor of macrophages derived from monocytes in patients with coronary heart disease was correlated positively with CRP, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1. CONCLUSION: Activity of scavenger receptor may be taken as index for monitoring the degree of active vulnerable atherosclerosis plaque. Atorvastatin may inhibit activity of scavenger receptor in macrophages derived from monocytes in patients with coronary heart disease.