Influence of berberine combining with atorvastatin on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Abstract

Objective To observe the influence of berberine combining with atorvastatin on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.  Methods Ischemic stroke patients (N = 55) were randomized into 3 groups: atorvastatin 20 mg/d (N = 28), atorvastatin 40 mg/d (N = 11) and berberine 0.40 g three times a day + atorvastatin 20 mg/d (combined treatment, N = 16). They were treated for 3 months. The expression changes of serum hs-CRP and A-FABP before and after treatment were compared among 3 groups.  Results There were significant decreases between before and 3 months after treatment on the expression of hs-CRP and A-FABP in 3 groups (P = 0.023, 0.000). After treatment, both the expression of hs-CRP and A-FABP significantly decreased, and the decreases were (1.69 ± 2.29) and (281.43 ± 311.05) mg/L in atorvastatin 20 mg/d group, (7.81 ± 12.48) and (321.59 ± 289.35) mg/L in atorvastatin 40 mg/d group, and (2.16 ± 3.34) and (376.55 ± 249.72) mg/L in combined treatment group. However, there was no significant difference among 3 groups (P > 0.05, for all), and there was no correlation between drugs and observation time points (P > 0.05, for all).  Conclusions The effect of berberine combined with atorvastatin on hs-CRP and A-FABP is similar to atorvastation (40 mg/d) therapy.

DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2015.01.010