Impact of Statin Therapy on Adaptations to Aerobic Exercise

Impact of Statin Therapy on Adaptations to Aerobic Exercise

The purpose of this study is to determine how different doses of a statin affect muscle health and exercise.

High cholesterol and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently prevented and treated with statin therapy. Statin use can cause muscle weakness, fatigue and/or pain, and these symptoms can increase with dose and duration of statin use. Statins may also change the ability to exercise.

This study is testing how different doses of a statin, Lipitor, affect muscle health and exercise. The doses that will be used in this study (20 mg/day or 80 mg/day) are typical for treating high cholesterol.

This study is expected to last about 14 weeks.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 25-43 kg^m2

• Sedentary (less than 150 min of physical activity/week during last 6 months)

• Weight stable (no more than 5% change in body weight the previous 3 months)

  • >5% risk for a cardiovascular event in the next 10 years according to the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association risk calculator and/or 2 out of 5 metabolic syndrome risk factors(Triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL; HDL ≤ 40 mg/dL; Glucose ≥ 100mg/dL; Waist Circumference ≥ 102cm for males, 88cm for females; Blood pressure: ≥ 130mmHg systolic and/or 85mmHg diastolic or being treated for hypertension).

• Stable doses of medications for 90 days

• Willing to stop all Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin for 7 days prior to muscle biopsy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Smoking
• Use of statins in the last 6 months
• Use of other medications or supplements that affect lipid profiles or body weight in the last 6 months (e.g., fibric acids, bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acids, fish oil)
• Diagnosis of chronic diseases including CVD, diabetes, other metabolic diseases (e.g., thyroid), cancer, HIV, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• History of abnormal bleeding problems
• Currently taking (within the last 10 days) anti-platelet medication (Plavix), Warfarin, and other anti-coagulants (eliquis, pradaxa, and xarelto) medications
• >2 fold upper normal limit (UNL) for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or creatinine
• Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Individuals with polymorphisms known to be associated with susceptibility for statin induced myopathies (tested at screening)
• Currently enrolled in another research study