New research suggests that statins, traditionally used for cholesterol lowering, could be used in the management of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a blood clotting disorder that causes miscarriages, deep vein thromboses, and strokes.
The new research shows that the statin fluvastatin could reduce the inflammatory proteins that are elevated in patients with APS.
The research, by a joint team from the Special Surgery in New York City and the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, was presented November 12, 2012, at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals meeting in Washington, D.C.
Read more about the research here: http://bit.ly/UbJ03c
The anti-malarial drug Plaquenil has been used for years in treatment of APS. It helps to reduce the antibodies that are the primary cause of APS patients’ tendency to produce blot clots when they shouldn’t. I’ve been taking Plaquenil for antiphospholipid syndrome for ten years. After my stroke, my doctor hoped it would help lower my antibodies, but estimated it would take several years. She was right. After about four years, the antibodies started to fall. Not long after that, I noticed I was feeling better, with fewer flares and low-energy days.
It will be interesting to see how well statins work and what the advantages might be.
Do you have any experience with statins?
Dr. Doruk Erkan has been involved in Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) research since 1997. His research interest includes identification of factors that increase the risk of blood clots and potential prevention strategies. He is the principal investigator in multiple clinical trials ranging from mechanistic studies to drug trials for difficult-to-treat APS patients. He has been a member of multiple APS-related national/international committees as well as an invited speaker at numerous conferences. He is the Executive Committee Chair of the newly formed international APS research network, APS ACTION (Antiphospholipid Syndrome Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking). More information about this network can be found at http://www.apsaction.org/ .
Thanks, Lester, for letting us know about Dr. Lester and the great work at APSaction.org.