ABSTRACT
Objective Previous studies indicated that activation of Toll-like receptor4 (TLR4) was involved in the progression and instability of atherosclerotic plaque.Anti-inflammatory effects were shown in statins. However,the mechanisms underlying these effects have not been well explored.We test the hypothesis that a por- tion of these anti-inflammatory effects are mediated by regulation of TLR4 expression.Methods One hundred twenty-one subjects (22 normal persons,17 patients with stable angina and 82 patients with ACS) were recruited. 41 patients with ACS were randomized to atorvastatin 10 mg/d or atorvastatin 40 mg/d on top of routine anti-anginal treatment.Serum level of hsCRP,blood lipids,TLR4 expression on CD_(14)~+ monocytes were measuered before and after one month treatment.TLR4 expression on CD_(14)~+ monocytes were quantified via flow-cytometry.Results hsCRP and TLR4 expression on CD_(14)~+ monocytes in patients with ACS were higher than patients with stable angina and normal persons(hsCRP,ACS:11.1?14.3 vs stable angina:2.5?2.7 mg/L vs normal:2.3?4.2 mg/L,P