CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy is associated with an enhanced TNF-α-lowering effect  compared with statin monotherapy .
AIMS Statins are known to influence the status of adipokines , which play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases .
As the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statin therapy on the impact of statins on plasma adipokines levels is currently unclear , the aim of the present study was to investigate this through a meta- analysis of controlled trials .
Effects of simvastatin and ezetimibe on interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
Abstract Objectives . Statins decrease cardiovascular events mainly by lowering cholesterol but anti-inflammatory effects also play a role . The effects of the cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe on markers of inflammation remain unclear . We performed an exploratory post-hoc analysis whether these drugs influence the pro-inflammatory markers interleukin-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in subjects with very-low cardiovascular risk . Design . Single center , r and omized , parallel 3-group study in 72 healthy men without apparent cardiovascular disease ( age 32 ± 9 years , BMI 25.7 ± 3.2 kg/m2 ) . Each group of 24 subjects received a 14-day treatment with either simvastatin 40 mg , ezetimibe 10 mg , or their combination .  Results . Baseline IL-6 and hsCRP concentrations in the total cohort were 0.72 ± 0.57 ng/l and 0.40 ± 0.65 mg/l , respectively , with no differences between the 3 groups . Median changes ( interquartile range ) in IL-6 and hsCRP concentrations were −22 % ( −43 to 0 % ) and −30 % ( −44 to + 19 % ) after simvastatin , −5 % ( −36 to + 30 % ) and + 9 % ( −22 to + 107 % ) after ezetimibe , and + 15 % ( −15 to + 86 % ) and + 1 ( −30 to + 49 % ) after the combination . Using a generalized linear model , the multivariable adjusted overall P-values for these changes were 0.008 ( IL-6 ) and 0.1 ( hsCRP ) . Conclusions . Simvastatin  decreases the pro-inflammatory markers IL-6 and almost significantly hsCRP while ezetimibe monotherapy or the combination with simvastatin has no effect . Trial registration : Clinical Trials.gov identifier : NCT00317993
CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy is associated with an enhanced TNF-α-lowering effect  compared with statin monotherapy .
AIMS Statins are known to influence the status of adipokines , which play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases .
As the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statin therapy on the impact of statins on plasma adipokines levels is currently unclear , the aim of the present study was to investigate this through a meta- analysis of controlled trials .