Effect of oral atorvastatin on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, FoxP3 expression, and prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction before primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective: Our objective was to explore the effects of atorvastatin on changes of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), FoxP3 expression in the infarct-related coronary artery, and peripheral veinous blood of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Methods: We recorded 112 cases of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who were randomly assigned to receive either atorvastatin 80 mg (n = 52) or placebo (n = 60) before primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Blood samples were obtained from the infarct-related coronary artery and peripheral vein during percutaneous coronary intervention. The proportion of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs, FoxP3 mRNA expression in blood and concentrations of transforming growth factor-beta and interferon-gamma in plasma of the samples were measured or detected by flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: In comparison with the control group, the proportions of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs and the mRNA level of FoxP3 and transforming growth factor-beta significantly increased; however, interferon-gamma decreased with atorvastatin therapy. In the controls, the proportions of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs and the mRNA level of FoxP3 and transforming growth factor-beta were significantly decreased, but the level of interferon-gamma increased more in the infarct-related coronary artery than in the peripheral vein. Conclusion: The inhibition of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction could be regulated with atorvastatin given before percutaneous coronary intervention.