Oct 24, 2006 8:09 pm US/Eastern
Study: Statins May Slow Lung Damage
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) ―
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Researchers have known for years about the ability of statins to lower cholesterol and stem heart disease, but recent cell and animal studies have shown the potential for the drugs to reduce inflammation and protect the lungs.
The use of cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may slow smoking-induced lung damage, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center.
The study of 182 current smokers and 303 former smokers showed those who used statins, including drugs like Lipitor, Zocor and Simvastatin, had much slower declines in lung function than those not using statins.
"This is very exciting because until now no medication has shown to slow lung damage in patients with emphysema and other smoking-related diseases," said Dr. Walid G. Younis, a resident at the OU College of Medicine who led the study.
Younis and his colleagues presented their findings this week at the 72nd annual international scientific meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians in Salt Lake City. The study has not been published, but has been submitted to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine for peer review, Younis said.
Researchers have known for years about the ability of statins to lower cholesterol and stem heart disease, but recent cell and animal studies have shown the potential for the drugs to reduce inflammation and protect the lungs, said Dr. Jean Keddissi, an associate professor at OU who helped with the study.
The OU researchers compared the effects of statins by examining the medical records of 485 patients at the Veteran's Administration Medical Center in Oklahoma City, which included tests of lung capacity over an average period of 2.7 years.
Their findings show lung decline in patients not taking statins was 12.5 percent, compared to a decline of 2.5 percent in those taking statins during the same time period, Keddissi said.
Researchers also found the use of statins in patients with lung disease led to a 35 percent decline in the rate of respiratory-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations.
"This also potentially could have implications for patients with asthma," Keddissi said.
Although Keddissi cautioned the study is a retrospective one, and not the "gold-standard" for medical studies, he said the findings are very promising.
"This is a preliminary study, which means we need to be cautious, but this is a very interesting and important signal to us that we should continue research into this field," Keddissi said.
Dr. Michael Fessler, a physician scientist who specializes in pulmonary critical care medicine at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in North Carolina, said the study connects to growing literature that statins have anti-inflammatory effects.
"This study is interesting in that regard," Fessler said. "It has limitations, but there is independent support that they might be on to something, and certainly it's worthwhile studying it further in a more rigorous fashion."
Quitting smoking remains the most effective way to slow the rate of lung damage.
"It's extremely important not to give the impression to smokers and ex-smokers that this will counter all the negative effects of smoking," Keddissi said.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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