Influence of Treatment with Statins versus Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Inflammatory and Oxidative Status in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Abstract

Many studies point to an important anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect for statins and more recently are several similar studies for omega-3 fatty acids. Objective. To show how these two therapeutic classes influence oxidative and inflammatory status in patients with ischemic stroke. Patients and Methods. Prospective study, including 55 patients with acute ischemic stroke. We administered all the patients one of the two drugs: 40 mg Sortis or 1g Omacor and appreciated how each of these therapies influences the dynamic evolution of oxidative and inflammatory status, by evaluating the specific markers in the two lots. Results. There were no significant differences between the individual and total oxidative stress and nor between the inflammatory markers, in the lot treated with Omacor; 2 months after initiation of treatment, in the group treated with Sortis, TAS (Total Antioxidant Status) values were higher (p=0,06) and CRP levels were statistically significantly lower (p=0,01) than initially. Conclusions. It is suggested an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect is stronger for statins than for omega-3 fatty acids in patients with ischemic stroke.