Medications for Scleroderma, Arthritis, Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases-Statins

Medications for Scleroderma, Arthritis,
Autoimmune and Rheumatic Diseases

This page was written by Janey Willis and has not yet been medically edited. See Disclaimer.

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Statins

Statins are a class of drugs that lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood by reducing the production of cholesterol by the liver. Recent findings have shown statins to offer some relief to patients with scleroderma and other rheumatic diseases.

Statins and autoimmune diseases. In the recent years, pleotropic effects of statins have been reported, which include anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. PubMed. Autoimmun Rev. 2005 Mar;4(3):123-9.

Statins May Ease Scleroderma. Patients got some relief from the disfiguring disease scleroderma after taking a statin -- a drug widely used to lower blood cholesterol -- Japanese researchers report. InteliHealth. 05/26/07.

Simvastatin Reduces Endothelial Activation and Damage But Is Partially Ineffective in Inducing Endothelial Repair in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Treatment with simvastatin results in rapid and significant improvement of measures of endothelial activation, suggesting a potential role of statins in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease in SSc. Journal of Rheumatology. June 2008. (Also see: Raynaud's, and Causes of Scleroderma: Endothelin )

Statins: A Potentially Useful Therapeutic Option In The Management Of Systemic Sclerosis-Related Raynaud's Phenomenon And Digital Ulcers. The results of this study suggest that statins ameliorate vascular dysfunction and improve patient function. The good patient tolerance,their safety and relative inexpensiveness may prove statins invaluable in maintaining vascular integrity and a potentially welcome addition to the limited therapeutic arsenal for SSc. A. Abou-Raya OP0161 EULAR 2007. (Also see: Raynaud's and Digital Ulcers )

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs for Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Atorvastatin May Increase New Blood Vessel Formation, Suggests Pilot Study. American College of Rhematology. Press Release. 2006.

Increase in circulating endothelial precursors by atorvastatin in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The results of this pilot study suggest that atorvastatin treatment can increase CEPs (circulating endothelial precursors) and may be effective in improving Raynaud's phenomenon, even in SSc patients who have CEP dysfunction intrinsically. Arthritis & Rheumatism Journal. Volume 54, Issue 6, Pages 1946 - 1951. (June 2006). (Also see: Raynaud's)

Potential benefit of statins for vascular disease in systemic sclerosis. Statins display numerous effects that may be of potential benefit in preventing endothelial dysfunction in SSc patients. Further clinical trials of statins in SSc patients are warranted. PubMed. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2006 Nov;18(6):594-600.

Scleroderma Treatments and Clinical Trials ISN.