Association Between Gut Microbiota Composition and Statin Responsiveness in Hyperlipidemic Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Aamna Masood; Sheharyar Khalid Rahim; Muhammad Arqam Arshad; Naveen Shaikh; Zain Bin Saeed; Syed Muhammad Asad Uddin; Memoona Zahid; Nimra Kalim; Nadeem Ahmed; Memoona Arshad

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i7.1750

Authors

Aamna Masood Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, Pakistan
Sheharyar Khalid Rahim PGR, Department of Internal Medicine, DHQ Teaching Hospital, KDA Kohat, Pakistan
Muhammad Arqam Arshad Department of ENT, Nishtar Medical University, Multan, Pakistan
Naveen Shaikh General Practitioner, Department of General Practice / Family Medicine, Response Plus Medical Services LLC, UAE
Zain Bin Saeed Allama Iqbal Medical College, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Syed Muhammad Asad Uddin Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
Memoona Zahid Department of Internal Medicine, Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal, Pakistan
Nimra Kalim Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan
Nadeem Ahmed Department of Internal Medicine, Indus Hospital & Health Network, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Memoona Arshad Department of Pathology, M Islam Medical & Dental College, Gujranwala, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i7.1750

Keywords:

Gut Microbiota, Statin Responsiveness, Hyperlipidemia, Lipid Profile

Abstract

Background: Statin therapy remains a cornerstone in the management of hyperlipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular events. However, interindividual variability in statin response poses a major clinical challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiota may influence lipid-lowering efficacy by modulating drug metabolism, bile acid composition, and systemic lipid pathways. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between gut microbiota composition and responsiveness to statin therapy among hyperlipidemic patients. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases was conducted through May 2019. Studies were included if they assessed lipid outcomes (LDL-C, total cholesterol, HDL-C, triglycerides) in statin-treated patients, with or without gut microbiota analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Publication bias was evaluated via funnel plot inspection. Results: Three studies (n = 884 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analysis showed that rosuvastatin significantly reduced LDL-C (SMD = -0.62; 95% CI: -1.00, -0.23; p = 0.002) and total cholesterol (SMD = -0.36; 95% CI: -0.60, -0.13; p = 0.003) compared to control groups. No significant differences were observed in HDL-C or triglyceride levels. One included study demonstrated that statin responders had distinct gut microbiota profiles, including reduced alpha diversity and increased abundance of Blautia species. Conclusion: This meta-analysis supports the superior lipid-lowering efficacy of rosuvastatin and highlights the potential role of gut microbiota in modulating statin response. Integration of microbiome profiling into lipid management strategies may advance personalized therapy for hyperlipidemia. Further large-scale studies are needed to validate these findings and explore microbiota-targeted interventions.

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