A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of statin treatment on sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1

ABSTRACT

Background and aims

Statins might prevent cell adhesion to the endothelium, a key step in atherosclerosis. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of statins on soluble vascular (sVCAM-1) and intercellular (sICAM-1) adhesion molecule 1.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, from inception to July 2021. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for analytical studies and GRADE, respectively.

Results

Statins significantly reduced both sVCAM-1 (standard mean difference, SMD = −0.28, 95% CI −0.44 to −0.12, p = 0.001; 46 treatment arms; low certainty of evidence) and sICAM-1 (SMD = −0.75, 95% CI −1.00 to −0.50, p < 0.001; 61 treatment arms; moderate certainty of evidence) concentrations. In sensitivity analysis, the SMD values were not modified when individual studies were sequentially removed. There were significant associations between SMD and publication year and, for sICAM-1, statin-induced changes in HDL-cholesterol. In subgroup analysis, the lowering effect was significant with lipophilic, but not hydrophilic, statins, and similar, for sICAM-1, in participants with or without clinically overt atherosclerosis.

Conclusions

Statins significantly lower sVCAM-1/sICAM-1. Prospective studies are required to determine whether this mediates their atheroprotective effects (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021276825).

KEYWORDS:

• statins
• sVCAM-1
• sICAM-1
• cell adhesion
• atherosclerosis

Author contributions

A Zinellu and AA Mangoni designed the study, screened the articles, assessed the risk of bias, extracted the data, analyzed, and interpreted the data. AA Mangoni wrote the first draft of the manuscript. AA Mangoni and A Zinellu reviewed the subsequent versions and the final draft.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.