Zocor curbs smoking-related lung damage, in rats

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Treatment with the
cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin, better known as Zocor,
can inhibit the lung damage that occurs with smoking-induced
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to
findings from an animal study.

In addition to blocking the formation of cholesterol,
“statin” drugs have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and
anti-oxidant effects, as well as other benefits for blood
vessels. In theory, all of these effects could help counter the
lung damage caused by cigarette smoking.

To investigate, Dr. Sang-Do Lee, from Asan Medical Center
in Seoul, Korea, and colleagues examined the lungs of rats
exposed or not exposed to cigarette smoke while being treated
with or without simvastatin for 16 weeks.

The researchers’ findings are reported in the American
Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

In addition to blocking lung tissue destruction and high
blood pressure in the lungs’ circulation, simvastatin inhibited
the infiltration of inflammatory cells into pulmonary tissue.
As anticipated, the drug also had beneficial effects on blood
vessels.

“Taken together, these findings indicate that statins could
potentially play a role in the treatment of cigarette
smoking-induced COPD,” the researchers conclude.

SOURCE: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care
Medicine, October 15, 2005.