The Effects of Statin Treatment on Serum Ferritin Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Scientific paper - Review paper

• Author: Tannaz Jamialahmadi
• Author: Mitra Abbasifard
• Author: Željko Reiner
• Author: Manfredi Rizzo
• Author: Ali H. Eid
• Author: Amirhossein Sahebkar
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Internal Medicine)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Internal Medicine

Abstract (english)

Background: Statins are the most widely used drugs for decreasing elevated serum LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and thus for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but they have also some pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory properties. Atherosclerosis is a low-grade inflammatory disease, and elevated ferritin is considered to be one of the markers of inflammation. Since the results of studies on the effects of statins on serum ferritin levels are conflicting, this meta-analysis was performed. Methods: A literature search was performed using major electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and ISI Web of Science) from inception up to 5 March 2022 to find studies evaluating the effect of different statins on serum ferritin levels. The effect size was determined using weighted mean differences (WMDs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The meta-analysis of nine studies (1611 patients) analyzing the effects of statins on serum ferritin levels that were included showed a significant decrease in circulating ferritin levels caused by statins. The results did not suggest any significant association between the changes in concentrations of serum ferritin and the duration of treatment with statins. Conclusions: Statin therapy decreases the circulating concentrations of ferritin, which might be beneficial for the prevention and/or progression of ASCVD. This effect might be explained by the anti-inflammatory effects and maybe some other pleiotropic effects of statins and not by their lipid-lowering effects.

• Keywords (english): acute-phase response; cardiovascular diseases; inflammation; iron; lipid-lowering therapy; statins
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Review paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Journal of Clinical Medicine
• Numbering: vol. 11, no. 17, 5251
• e-ISSN: 2077-0383
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11175251
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:766670
• Publication: 2022-09-05
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/11/17/5251
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-02-16 12:26:03