Abstract: Abstract: Objective To investigate the expressions of high mobility group box-1(HMGB1) and high sensitivity C-re⁃ active protein (hs-CRP) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and the effects of atorvastatin on the two inflamma⁃ tory cytokines. Methods A total of 90 patients with ACS and 90 cases of normal control subjects were selected in this study. The serum concentrations of HMGB1 and hs-CRP were measured before treatment in patients of ACS. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n=45) and atorvastatin group (n=45). Atorvastatin was given 20 mg/24 h and 40 mg/24 h. Blood samples were obtained from the patients for detection of HMGB1 and hs-CRP one week after treatment with atorvastatin. Results There were significantly higher serum levels of HMGB1 and hs-CRP in patients with ACS than those of control subjects (P＜0.01). The level of HMGB1 was positively correlated with the level of hs-CRP in patients of ACS (r=0.389, P＜0.01). Before treatment, there were no significant diffferences in level of HMGB1 and hs-CRP in patients with ACS between the two groups. After treatment with atorvastatin, the levels of HMGB1 and hs-CRP were decreased in the two groups of ACS, and those were significantly lower in the intensive group than the standard group (P＜0.05). Conclu⁃ sion HMGB1 could stimulate the secretion of hs-CRP and other inflammatory cytokines, playing an important role in the process of occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. High loading dose of atorvastatin may reduce the expression of HMGB1 and decrease the inflammation, and stabilize the plaques in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Key words: acute coronary syndrome, high mobility group proteins, C- reactive protein, atorvastatin, high mobility group box-1, hs-CRP