Effects of Atorvastatin on Th polarization in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background: The development of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been shown to be associated with inflammation, which is positively and negatively regulated by T helper (Th) 1 and Th2 lymphocytes, respectively. Several studies have indicated that statins can improve heart function after AMI. Aims: To study the effects of atorvastatin on Th polarization in patients with AMI. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from 20 patients with AMI treated with oral atorvastatin (10 mg/d, group AMIA) and 18 patients with AMI (group AMI-C) who did not receive treatment with statins. Cytokine-producing Th lymphocytes were quantified by 3-color flow cytometry. After in vitro culturing in the presence or absence of atorvastatin (0, 0.3, 1 and 3 mu mol/L) for 6 days, cytokine-producing Th lymphocytes were quantified again in AMI-C group. Results.- The ratio of IFN-gamma-producing T cells was significantly higher in AMI-C group (17.8% +/- 6.4%) than in the AMI patients treated with oral atorvastatin (AMI-A, 13.1% +/- 4.6%). In vitro culturing with atorvastatin significantly reduced Th1 development in the AMI-C group. There was no significant difference on the frequencies of interleukin (IL)-4-producing T cells between each group. Conclusions: Atorvastatin can reduce Th1 development but has no effect on Th2 cell-functions in AMI patients. Our findings suggest that atorvastatin can regulate the polarization of Th1/Th2, this may be one of the mechanisms through which atorvastatin improves heart function after AMI. V 2005 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.