Daily administration of rosuvastatin (10 mg) for 48 weeks significantly reduces plasma levels of sCD14 by 10.4%, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 by 12.2%, and IP-10 by 27.5% in HIV-infected adults on suppressive antiretroviral therapy with elevated immune activation, compared to placebo, indicating a direct causal effect on monocyte activation and vascular inflammation.

Rosuvastatin blocks a key enzyme in the liver that makes cholesterol, which also reduces molecules needed to activate certain proteins inside immune cells. Without these molecules, immune cells called monocytes become less active and release fewer inflammatory signals. This lowers the levels of proteins in the blood that mark inflammation in blood vessels and immune cells. The same process also reduces signals that overstimulate T cells, calming the overall immune response.