interferon β-1a and atorvastatin in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

background: statins, widely used cholesterol-lowering agents, have also been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and immunomdulatory effects. objective: to evaluate the effects of atorvastatin in combination with interferon-β in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (ms) in a randomized controlled clinical trial. methods: multiple sclerosis patients were randomized independently, in a double blind design, into one of two treatment groups. control group (n=45) received 30 μg/week interferon β-1a via intra-muscular injection. atorvastatin-treated group (n=50) received interferon β-1a similar to control group in addition to atorvastatin (40 mg/day) for 18-months. all clinical and immunological variables were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. results: there was no significant difference between the two groups in the expanded disability status scale scores and the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions during the 18-month treatment period. after 18 months, the levels of interleukin (il)-4, il-10, transforming growth factor-β and serum ferric reducing antioxidant power in the atorvastatin treatment group were significantly higher than the control group. levels of il-17, tnf-α and lymphocyte proliferation in the atorvastatin treatment group were significantly lower than the control group. conclusion: although combined atorvastatin and interferon-β do not change the clinical course of ms, atorvastatin might have beneficial effects in ms treatment possibly through inducing anti-inflammatory responses.