Statins, Wonder Drug For Lungs?

[larrynz]

www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1671011,00.html

Statins are already among the top-selling prescription drugs in the U.S. for the treatment of heart disease. Now, a new study suggests that the popular cholesterol-lowering drugs have a significant additional benefit: slowing the lung deterioration that occurs naturally with age — and is often worsened by cigarette smoking.
Recent studies have proved that statins not only control lipids, but are also potent regulators of inflammation — a key cause of lung deterioration. That's what led Joel Schwartz, an epidemiologist studying pollution and lung function, to examine the effects of statins. He and his colleagues looked at data on 803 subjects involved in the ongoing Veterans Administration Normative Aging Study, all of whom had their lung function measured in so-called spirometer-based breathing tests between 1995 and 2005. "It's interesting that we saw such a big effect here," Schwartz says. The statin users showed half the rate of respiratory decline than non-statin users did, and, even more encouraging, long-term smoking quitters appeared to get as much benefit from statins as recent quitters.
What excites researchers most is the possibility that statins may help in regenerating deteriorating lung tissue. "Over the last few years, there have been a growing number of studies showing that lung tissue can actually regenerate itself and that the rate of deterioration can be slowed down by turning on genes and pathways that protect lung tissue," he says. "This study provides one more potential piece of evidence that [such regeneration] possibly represents an entirely new approach to treating lung disease." And that would certainly help millions more Americans to breathe easier.

[Vic]

Great story Larry...I have been following it for a few days now and I have searched, but to no avail, for an answer to my question: "How much statin must one take to effect the benefits shown here?"

I wish somebody would show what the effective doses were in that test, it would go a long way to helping me convince my doc to give me a script for statin. As it is now, my Cholesterol is in the low 140's without treatment, so I suspect it would probably have to be a small dose in my case...but would it work for me at a small dose?? Quandry, perplexed and feeling left out because my cholesterol is too low. -- Vic

[larrynz]

Vic I had two new meds at the same time, one for BP the other 20mg of lipitor for cholesterol. Shortly after Marilyn is asking me if I feel better because I am doing more, I even asked on here "does BP meds make you feel better?" ;D, never thought it was the statin. Then I see that article.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

THIS is what I liked reading Larry....

""Over the last few years, there have been a growing number of studies showing that lung tissue can actually regenerate itself and that the rate of deterioration can be slowed down by turning on genes and pathways that protect lung tissue," he says. "This study provides one more potential piece of evidence that [such regeneration] possibly represents an entirely new approach to treating lung disease."

Hubby takes cholesterol meds.....maybe I should be sneaking some .

Seriously; This really does sound promising...Thanks Larry

[chrisw]

Hi Vic,
This study was looking at the results of another study, when they realized that they could use the results they had, together with additional information on PFT's that they already had on the same patients to see if there was a connection. My guess is that these results were obtained with "typical" dosages for the statins when used to control cholesterol.
Chris

[maryaz]

I am not real up on understanding the Statin drugs but I thought they were questionable and controversial somewhat? My husband has had a hard time getting one he could stay on without bad side effects.

[Vic]

I would love to try the Simvastatin 5mg dose. It is so small that I don't think it will do anything to my 140 cholesterol, any higher and I don't know if it would be too much for me, or perhaps at a certain point perhaps my cholesterol level will just ignore its presence. But would 5mg be of any benefit to my long-term lung deterioration? it's just a puzzle, but I think some further information should pop up on this fairly soon . -- Vic

[larrynz]

Often when treatments and cures are found it is by accident, this could be one of those.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

You know it's funny Vic but I'd been thinking along the same lines. My cholesterol is getting up there but I've always had great good/bad ratio. In your case ; with GREAT levels; how much is too low? And/or would it work?

Mary...my hubby has tried EVERY cholesterol med I think on the market and decent doses at that. EVERY one of them causes problems. Aching arms etc.... Crestor seems to be the least. Maybe, from a lung perspective, a lower dose might prove to work from a lung perspective.

[maryaz]

blossom said:

Mary...my hubby has tried EVERY cholesterol med I think on the market and decent doses at that. EVERY one of them causes problems. Aching arms etc.... Crestor seems to be the least.

Jackie;
WOW, How strange because my husband tried Crestor one of the first ones. After trying several other statins, and changing doctors, the new doctor asked him to try Crestor again. So far it is working I guess. Dr. just gave him a bunch more to take. He really wants him to take it and so he is giving it to him.

As for the Statins and the lung disease, I have been reading a little about this for some time now. They have been watching this. However, I didn't retain it well. I will watch more closely.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I could list off the main chiolesterol meds...believe me. All the big name ones. Granted there's a warning out about the higher doses of Crestor but that's another subject as is slow released Niacin for cholesterol (been that route too)

Statins and lung disease....bears watching I think!