Table 2.

Anti-inflammatory effects of cardiovascular drugs.

Effects on inflammatory cytokines Antihypertensive mechanisms Proposed References
Statins	↓ IL-1β	NF-κB inhibition AT1R downregulation HMC CoA inhibition (G protein coupled signalling inhibition) PPAR-γ inhibition Upregulates NO synthase	[162, 164, 166, 167, 174]
	↓ IL-6
	↓ MCP-1
	↓ ICAM-1
	↓ MMP-2
	↓ MMP-9
	↓ hs-CRP
	↓ PAI-1
	↑ NO
ARBs/ACEIs	↓ IL-1β	NF-κB inhibition AT1R downregulation Decreased ACE synthesis	[8, 56, 164]
	↓ IL-6
	↑ TGF-β (losartan)
	↑ NO (AT2R)
Calcium channel blockers	↓ MMP-2	Protein kinase pathway (MMP-2)	[174, 176]
	↓ MMP-9
	↓ IL-1β
	↓ IL-18
	↓ CRP
	↓ MCP-1
	↓ ICAM-1

IL: interleukin; MCP: macrophage chemotactic factor-1; ICAM-1: intercellular adhesion molecule-1; MMP: matrix metalloproteinase; NO: nitric oxide; ARBs: angiotensinogen receptor blockers; ACEIs: angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; NF-κB: nuclear factor κB; AT1R: angiotensinogen type 1 receptor; HMC CoA: hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A; hs-CRP: high sensitivity C reactive protein.