Statins exacerbate exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury

This study was published in Metabolism 1997 Oct;46(10):1206-10

 

Study title and authors:

Lovastatin increases exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury.

Thompson PD, Zmuda JM, Domalik LJ, Zimet RJ, Staggers J, Guyton JR.

Division of Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9322808

This study investigated the association between statins, exercise and creatine kinase levels (high levels of creatine kinase are a marker for muscle damage) using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design. The study include 59 healthy men aged 18 to 65 years who were assigned to receive lovastatin (40 mg per day) or placebo for 5 weeks. The men completed 45 minutes of treadmill walking after 4 weeks of treatment.

The study found that the creatine kinase levels of the men who received lovastatin were 62% and 77% higher 24 and 48 hours after the treadmill exercise compared to the men who received placebo.

The researchers concluded that statins exacerbate exercise-induced skeletal muscle injury.

Low fat diet leads to a 150% increase in colon cancer

This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine 2000 Apr 20;342(16):1149-55

 

Study title and authors:

Lack of effect of a low-fat, high-fiber diet on the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. Polyp Prevention Trial Study Group.

Schatzkin A, Lanza E, Corle D, Lance P, Iber F, Caan B, Shike M, Weissfeld J, Burt R, Cooper MR, Kikendall JW, Cahill J.

National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10770979

This study investigated the association between fat and fibre consumption and the development of recurrent colorectal adenomas, which are precursors of most large-bowel cancers. The study lasted for four years and included 1,905 patients who were at least 35 years old and who had had one or more confirmed colorectal adenomas removed. All patients had no history of colorectal cancer.

The patients were assigned into two groups and advised to either:
(i) Lower their fat consumption to 20% of daily calories and up their fibre consumption to 18 grams per 1000 calories. (Lower fat, higher fibre group).
(ii) Carry on with their normal diet (fat consumption of 34% and fibre consumption of 10 grams per 1000 calories). (Higher fat, lower fibre group).

The study found:
(a) Both groups had similar rates of at least one recurrent adenoma although the incidence in the lower fat, higher fibre group was .2% more than the higher fat, lower fibre group.
(b) The lower fat, higher fibre group had a 150% increased risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to the higher fat, lower fibre group.

The data from the study shows that patients with colorectal adenomas have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer if they follow a low fat, high fibre diet.

Statins increase the risk of chronic muscle diseases by 286%

This study was published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2008 May;67(5):614-9

 

Study title and authors:

Increased exposure to statins in patients developing chronic muscle diseases: a 2-year retrospective study.

Sailler L, Pereira C, Bagheri A, Uro-Coste E, Roussel B, Adoue D, Fournie B, Laroche M, Zabraniecki L, Cintas P, Arlet P, Lapeyre-Mestre M, Montastruc JL.

Unit of Pharmacoepidemiology, EA 3696, Clinical Pharmacology Department, Paul Sabatier University, 37 Allées Jules Guesdes, 31000 Toulouse, France. sailler.l@chu-toulouse.fr

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17768174

This study evaluated the association between chronic muscle diseases and prior exposure to cholesterol lowering drugs. The study, which lasted for two years, included 37 patients with chronic muscle diseases such as dermatomyositis and polymyositis who were compared to 185 control subjects.

The study found that those who were exposured to statins had a 286% increased risk of dermatomyositis and polymyositis.

High-fibre supplement (psyllium) linked to colon cancer risk

This study was published in the Lancet 2000 Oct 14;356(9238):1300-6

 

Study title and authors:

Calcium and fibre supplementation in prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence: a randomised intervention trial. European Cancer Prevention Organisation Study Group.

Bonithon-Kopp C, Kronborg O, Giacosa A, Räth U, Faivre J.

Registre Bourguignon des Tumeurs Digestives, Faculté de Médecine de Dijon, France.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11073017

Ispaghula husk is a soluble fibre that comes from a shrub-like herb, Plantago psyllium. Ispaghula husk is also known as psyllium, psyllium seed, psyllium husk, ispaghula or ispaghula seed.

Ispaghula husk is a central ingredient in many high-fibre cereals, and is often combined with wheat and oats. It is also contained in many processed foods such as "health drinks", bread, biscuits, rice cakes, instant noodles and other bakery products and is also sold as a supplement such as Metamucil, Colon Cleanse, Serutan, Fybogel, Bonvit, Effersyllium, and Konsyl. 

This study investigated the effect of ispaghula husk supplementation on recurrence of colorectal adenomas in patients with a history of colorectal adenomas. (An adenoma is a benign tumor of glandular origin. Although these growths are benign, over time they may progress to become malignant). The study included 665 patients who received either supplementation or placebo and were followed for three years.

The study found that patients who had the ispaghula husk had a 67% increased risk of recurrence of colorectal adenomas compared to patients who had placebo. 

Abdominal aortic aneurysms expand more with statin use

This study was published in the American Heart Journal 2010 Feb;159(2):307-13

 

Study title and authors:

Association of statin prescription with small abdominal aortic aneurysm progression.

Ferguson CD, Clancy P, Bourke B, Walker PJ, Dear A, Buckenham T, Norman P, Golledge J.

Vascular Biology Unit, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20152231

Abdominal aortic aneurysm  is recognized as an important cause of death in older men. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when the large blood vessel (aorta) that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward. The larger the aneurysm, the more likely it is to rupture and break open.

The study assessed the association of statin treatment (and other medications) and with abdominal aortic aneurysms expansion.  The study, which lasted for six years, included 652 patients undergoing surveillance of small abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The study found:
(a) Those taking statins had a 23% increased risk of their abdominal aortic aneurysm expanding more than average compared to those not taking statins.
(b) Those taking beta-blockers had a 13% increased risk of their abdominal aortic aneurysm expanding more than average compared to those not taking beta-blockers.
(c) Those taking aspirin had a 10% increased risk of their abdominal aortic aneurysm expanding more than average compared to those not taking aspirin.

The data from the study shows that statin users have an increased risk of larger expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysms compared to non users.

Low cholesterol leads to an early death

This study was published in the ScientificWorld Journal 2012;2012:930139

 

Study title and authors:

Lipids and all-cause mortality among older adults: a 12-year follow-up study.

Cabrera MA, de Andrade SM, Dip RM.

Postgraduate Program in Public Health, State University of Londrina-UEL, Robert Koch Avenue, 60 CEP, 86038440 Londrina, PR, Brazil. marcoscabrera@uol.com.br

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22666169

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels and death rates in elderly people. The study lasted for 12 years and included 800 people aged 60-85 years.

The study found:
(a) Those with cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL (5.1 mmol/L) had a 24% decreased risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL (5.1 mmol/L).
(b) Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels above 130 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L) had a 27% decreased risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 130 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L).
(c) Those with cholesterol levels below 170 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L) had a 60% increased risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels above 170 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L).
(d) Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) had a 20% increased risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels above 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L).

The data from the study shows that low cholesterol leads to an early death.

Statins may induce interstitial lung disease

This paper was published in Chest 2008 Oct;134(4):824-30

Study title and authors:
Statins and interstitial lung disease: a systematic review of the literature and of food and drug administration adverse event reports.

Fernández AB, Karas RH, Alsheikh-Ali AA, Thompson PD.
Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18689579

This study reviewed the scientific literature to examine the relationship between statins and interstitial lung disease. (Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. The inflammation and scarring make it hard to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis).

After reviewing evidence from the previous 20 years the researchers concluded: "Statin-induced interstitial lung disease is a possible newly recognized side effect of statin therapy".