Effect of Statin Therapy on C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)

Patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) have an ongoing systemic inflammation,
which can be assessed by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP). CRP is found to be a strong and
independent predictor of future COPD outcomes. Statins are a class of cholesterol lowering
drugs that decrease mortality from cardiovascular disease and stroke. In addition, they have
anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory properties. Statins lower C-reactive
protein by the ability to reduce the production of interleukin (IL)-6, the cytokine that
activates the acute phase CRP response.

Thus the rationale for this study is to evaluate effect of statins on the levels of CRP and
ET-1 in COPD patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Medically optimized COPD patients

- Age 40-79 years.

- serum CRP levels >3mg/l

Exclusion Criteria:

- Current smoker

- COPD exacerbation in the last 2 months.

- Active hepatic or severe renal dysfunction.

- connective tissue disease, chronic inflammatory disease, malignancy, any acute
illness, leukocytosis (>10,000 white blood cells) or thrombocytosis (>450,000
platelets).

- Recent h/o myocardial infarction, angina in the last 6 months.

- Pregnancy.