Anti-inflammatory effect of rosuvastatin in patients with HIV infection: An FDG-PET pilot study

J Nucl Cardiol. 2022 Dec;29(6):3057-3068. doi: 10.1007/s12350-021-02830-4. Epub 2021 Nov 24.

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate markers of systemic as well as imaging markers of inflammation in the ascending aorta, bone marrow, and spleen measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT, in HIV+ patients at baseline and following therapy with rosuvastatin.

Methods and results: Of the 35 HIV+ patients enrolled, 17 were randomized to treatment with 10 mg/day rosuvastatin and 18 to usual care for 6 months. An HIV- control cohort was selected for baseline comparison of serum inflammatory markers and monocyte markers of inflammation. 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging of bone marrow, spleen, and thoracic aorta was performed in the HIV+ cohort at baseline and 6 months. While CD14++CD16- and CCR2 expressions were reduced, serum levels of IL-7, IL-8, and MCP-1 were elevated in the HIV+ population compared to the controls. There was a significant drop in FDG uptake in the bone marrow (TBRmax), spleen (SUVmax) and thoracic aortic (TBRmax) in the statin-treated group compared to the control group (bone marrow: - 10.3 ± 16.9% versus 5.0 ± 18.9%, p = .0262; spleen: - 9.8 ± 20.3% versus 11.3 ± 28.8%, p = .0497; thoracic aorta: - 19.1 ± 24.2% versus 4.3 ± 15.4%, p = .003).

Conclusions: HIV+ patients had significantly markers of systemic inflammation including monocyte activation. Treatment with low-dose rosuvastatin in the HIV+ cohort significantly reduced bone marrow, spleen and thoracic aortic FDG uptake.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular risk; FDG-PET/CT; HIV; Inflammation; Rosuvastatin.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • HIV Infections* / diagnostic imaging
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / diagnostic imaging
  • Inflammation / drug therapy
  • Pilot Projects
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium / pharmacology
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Rosuvastatin Calcium
  • Biomarkers
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

Grants and funding