Possible Interaction: Vitamin D and Atorvastatin

“RESULTS At rvastatin tr eatment increases vit amin D (3 3%, p = 0.007) and decreases the individuals with vitamin D insufficiency.”

“In normoprolactinemic women, atorvastatin decreased circulating levels of uric acid, hsCRP, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and increased concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D , whereas in women with macroprolactinemia the drug decreased levels of hsCRP and homocysteine, as well as impaired insulin sensitivity.”

“Moreover, atorvastatin caused a decrease in plasma levels/urinary loss of uric acid, hsCRP, homocysteine and UACR, and insignificantly increased circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The drug produced no effect on plasma fibrinogen.”

“After 12 months of atorvastatin therapy , carriers with CC genotype had greater reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.001), reduced LP (a) (P=0.005), and elevated HDL-C (P=0.045) compared with CA or AA genotypes.”

“ Atorvastatin appears to increase 25(OH)D concentrations, whereas concurrent vitamin D supplementation decreases concentrations of atorvastatin.”

“In one additional study,9 supplemental vitamin D (800 IU/day) enhanced the effect of atorvastatin therapy on total and LDL cholesterol ( P < 0.005).”

“There have been several reports regarding the relationship between vitamin D deficiencies and statin-induced myalgia.2–6 … expected action of vitamin D on statin metabolism.7 In a published review,7 authors speculate that vitamin D, … atorvastatin levels and the efficacy of atorvastatin … D in inducing statin metabolism.”

“Patients with the CC genotype showed less LDL-C reduction with atorvastatin compared with the TT/TC genotype (53% vs 59%, respectively, P = .034), and this finding was independent of variation in cholesterol metabolism (P = .045 after correction for desmosterol and cholestanol/cholesterol ratio).”

“The conclusion of the study is that vitamin D supplementation lowers atorvastatin and active metabolite concentrations yet has synergistic effects on cholesterol concentrations.”

“In conclusion, atorvastatin increases vitamin D levels.”

“Treatment of diabetic hyperlipemic rats with, policosanol, omega-3 fatty acids (natural products) and atorvastatin for eight weeks significantly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), Vitamin D , decreased aortic vacuoles number, and inhibited calcification process.”