Decreased skeletal muscle mitochondrial DNA in patients treated with high-dose simvastatin.

Statins are generally well tolerated, but can cause myopathy and have been associated with mitochondrial abnormalities. The aim of this study was to determine whether muscle mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels are altered during statin therapy. We retrospectively quantified mtDNA in 86 skeletal muscle biopsy specimens collected as part of a previously published clinical trial of high-dose simvastatin or atorvastatin versus placebo.