Effect of Atorvastatin Combined With Herb-Partitioned Moxibustion on PON-1 in Patients With Atherosclerotic Cerebral Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerotic cerebral infarction (ACI) is a major cause of disability and mortality worldwide. Atorvastatin provides lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory benefits, whereas herb-partitioned moxibustion (HPM) may improve circulation and vascular function. This study evaluated the effects of atorvastatin combined with HPM on oxidative stress, blood rheology, and vascular physiological function in patients with ACI.

METHODS

In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 100 patients with ACI admitted between December 2023 and October 2024 were randomly assigned to a research group receiving atorvastatin plus HPM (n = 50) or a control group receiving conventional Western medicine alone (n = 50). Treatment lasted 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were serum paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Secondary outcomes included blood rheology indexes, vascular physiological function parameters, clinical efficacy, and adverse reactions.

RESULTS

All patients completed the study. Compared with the control group, the research group showed significantly lower whole blood viscosity at high shear (5.10 ± 1.23 vs. 6.15 ± 1.02 mPa·s), low shear (8.10 ± 1.17 vs. 10.46 ± 1.09 mPa·s), and plasma viscosity (1.20 ± 0.28 vs. 1.88 ± 0.36 mPa·s) (all p < 0.05). PON-1 levels were higher (185.62 ± 56.28 vs. 162.20 ± 54.24 µg/L; p = 0.037) and ox-LDL levels were lower (448.24 ± 80.64 vs. 500.40 ± 85.20 kU/L; p = 0.002). In addition, vascular physiological function improved significantly, with higher peak A, stroke volume, and ejection fraction and lower peak E and MVCF (all p < 0.001). The total effective rate was higher in the research group (94.0% vs. 82.0%; p = 0.037), with comparable adverse-event rates.

CONCLUSION

Atorvastatin combined with HPM improved oxidative stress, blood rheology, vascular physiological function, and clinical outcomes in ACI without increasing adverse reactions.