IMPACT OF STATIN THERAPY ON CARDIORESPIRATORY FITNESS (VO2PEAK)

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Madison H. Moore (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: As the third most common prescription in the US, statins are the primary prescription for patients with hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders. In addition to its primary use, the American College of Cardiology recently recommended health care providers use statins as a preventive measure (Ridker 2013). Nearly 60 million Americans could be prescribed statins to help treat cardiovascular disease in the near future (Pencina 2014). As a result, research into the side effects of statins has become increasingly important. Recent studies have suggested that statins may interfere with the increase in whole-body cardiorespiratory fitness that normally occurs with aerobic training (Stone 2013). Exercise can increase VO2, which is an indicator of fitness and all-cause mortality. Previous case studies have shown that statins could potentially inhibit the exercise adaptations with aerobic capacity\; however, all of the participants were on the same dose of the medication and it was not carefully controlled (Stone 2013). The primary aim of the study is to investigate the mechanisms by which statin therapy blocks cardiorespiratory adaptations to exercise training. Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) will be measured before and after 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training. Each participant will either be on either a placebo, 20 mg, or 80 mg of atorvastatin. We hypothesize that statin therapy interferes with the cardiorespiratory adaptive responses to exercise. When looking at the data, due to the double-blind nature of the study, the participants were split into three groups based upon their change in total cholesterol. Group A is composed of individuals whose cholesterol increased no more than 15 kg/m2 (0-15). Group B is composed of participants whose cholesterol decreased by less than 75 kg/m2 (0-(-75)). Group C is composed of participants whose cholesterol decreased more than 75 kg/m2 (-75-(-150)). When comparing their change in VO2, it was shown that the group whose cholesterol increased added an average of 3.40 + 0.75 ml/kg/min to their VO2. The group whose cholesterol dropped less than 75 mg/dL averaged a 3.23 + 1.07 ml/kg/min change to their VO2. The group whose cholesterol dropped more than 75 mg/dL added an average of 2.67 + .971 mg/kg/min to their VO2. This is a continuing study and will be interesting to see if the groups continue to follow the idea that the effectiveness of the statin could potentially decrease the impact that exercise has on the body's adaptation.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

Statin;Mitochondria;VO2peak

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