Effect of bezafibrate or pravastatin on serum lipid levels and albuminuria in NIDDM patients.

Lipid abnormalities in diabetic patients, particularly in those with nephropathy, may be partially due to deteriorating atherosclerosis. Therefore, strict control of the lipid metabolism in addition to glycemic control is desirable. Whether or not lipid lowering drugs prevent albuminuria in diabetic patients in the long term remains unclear. This study involved 71 NIDDM patients with hypercholesterolemia (group A: n = 37, group B: N = 34). The effect of bezafibrate (group A) or pravastatin (group B) on the cholesterol (CH) content of apolipoprotein AI, B100 containing particles or remnant-like particles (RLP) or urinary albumin excretion was studied over 4 years. The CH content in apolipoprotein B100 particles after treatment with either bezafibrate or pravastatin decreased significantly (group A: 24.7%, group B: 26.6%). The CH content in RLP after treatment with bezafibrate showed a significant decrease (67.9%). Apolipoprotein AI after treatment with bezafibrate showed a significant increase (10.9%). Apolipoprotein B100 after treatment with either drug decreased significantly (group A: 19.8%, group B: 23.4%). The urinary albumin excretion rate after treatment with either drug showed no significant change over 4 years. Bezafibrate and pravastatin appear to be useful in the preventive treatment of albuminuria as well as in lowering lipid levels in NIDDM patients.