Respiratory medicine
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Respiratory medicine · Aug 2010
ReviewStatins in community acquired pneumonia: Evidence from experimental and clinical studies.
Statins are widely used to lower cholesterol and prevent complications of cardiovascular disease. The non-lipid lowering (pleiotropic) effects of statins may also have applications to the management of infections. These include effects on endothelial function, inflammation and coagulation pathways. ⋯ Experimental and animal studies suggest statins attenuate acute lung injury by modulating neutrophil function, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine release and reducing vascular leak. Statins reduce endothelial dysfunction and have anti-thrombotic effects that improve outcome from pneumonia and sepsis in animal models. Clinical studies have provided conflicting results, but many suggest that statins may have a role in preventing pneumonia, or improving prognosis in hospitalised patients with community-acquired pneumonia.