Early decrease of oxidative stress by atorvastatin in hypercholesterolaemic patients: effect on circulating vitamin E
Homage to the use of statins for preventing heart disease continues. But research suggests that their protective effect (as questionable as that is) comes not from their ability to lower cholesterol, but likely from some type of antioxidant or anti-inflammatory effect.
This study finds that the use of statins increases circulating levels of Vit E, hinting that statins may have some type of antioxidant effects. However, this can be looked at another way. What if the use of statins increases Vit E levels, and this increase in Vit E levels is one of the ways that the risk of heart disease is lowered? Wouldn’t that be a hoot? The pharmaceutical companies would hate to have their $100 / month drug replaced with $10 of Vit E.