Dose-dependent effects of simvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin on apoptosis and inflammation pathways on cancerous lung cells

The aim of study was to investigate the anti-proliferative and inflammatory effects of atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin in lung cancer. The effects of statins were investigated in Vero, BEAS-2B, and A549 cell lines. In addition to expressions of BAX, BCL-2, TNFα, IL-10, IL-6, protein levels of TNFα, IL-10, IL-6 were determined. Cell viability and MDA were also measured. While the cell numbers in groups with low doses of statins were found to be approximately 1x106/mL, proliferation was inhibited at higher rates containing high doses. Simvastatin, rosuvastatin, and high dose atorvastatin upregulated the BAX, while high dose of atorvastatin and both doses of rosuvastatin caused downregulation in BCL-2. All statin groups had higher MDA. Simvastatin and high dose rosuvastatin upregulated TNFα. While low dose simvastatin and atorvastatin and high dose atorvastatin and rosuvastatin upregulated IL-10, IL-6 was upregulated with a low dose of rosuvastatin. TNFα was higher in simvastatin and rosuvastatin groups. IL-10 was highest in rosuvastatin groups. Atorvastatin groups had lower IL-6. Although cell numbers have been reduced by all statins, rosuvastatin is more effective on studied genes.