Effects of Atorvastatin on vitamin D levels in patients with acute ischemic heart disease

Am J Cardiol. 2007 Apr 1;99(7):903-5. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2006.11.036. Epub 2007 Feb 8.

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for osteoporosis and other chronic diseases, including type 1 diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic heart disease. Cholesterol and vitamin D share the 7-dehydrocholesterol metabolic pathway. This study evaluated the possible effect of atorvastatin on vitamin D levels in patients with acute ischemic heart disease. Eighty-three patients (52 men and 31 women) with an acute coronary syndrome (75 with acute myocardial infarction and 8 with unstable angina) were included. After diagnosis, patients received atorvastatin as secondary prevention. Serum vitamin D was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography at baseline and at 12 months. Atorvastatin treatment produced a statistically significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels and an increase in vitamin D levels (41+/-19 vs 47+/-19 nmol/L, p=0.003). Vitamin D deficiency was decreased by 75% to 57% at 12 months. In conclusion, atorvastatin increases vitamin D levels. This increase could explain some of the beneficial effects of atorvastatin at the cardiovascular level that are unrelated to cholesterol levels.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Angina, Unstable / blood*
  • Angina, Unstable / drug therapy*
  • Atorvastatin
  • Calcifediol / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, HDL / drug effects
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / drug effects
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heptanoic Acids / pharmacology
  • Heptanoic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Metabolic Networks and Pathways / drug effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / blood*
  • Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy*
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vitamin D / blood*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / blood
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / prevention & control

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrroles
  • Triglycerides
  • Vitamin D
  • Atorvastatin
  • Calcifediol