Helmut Sinzinger1, Harald Kritz, Curt D Furberg. 1. Institute for Diagnosis and Treatment of Lipid Disorders and Atherosclerosis (ATHOS), Vienna, Austria. helmut.sinzinger@univie.ac.at
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence indicates that significant lowering of LDL-cholesterol by means of LDL apheresis may reduce the level of microalbuminuria in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. We therefore examined whether treatment with the most potent LDL-lowering drug available (atorvastatin) has a similar effect on the level of microalbuminuria. MATERIAL/ METHODS: In a case series, 100 patients with familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia were started on 10 mg atorvastatin. 62 patients were switched to 40 mg atorvastatin once in the evening when the LDL-cholesterol treatment goals were not reached within 1 month. RESULTS: Baseline serum creatinine clearance significantly improved after 1, 3 and 6 months, while serum urea and serum creatinine were unchanged. Blood pressure exhibited a lowering trend. After one month of treatment, the mean level of microalbuminuria was significantly improved in both dose regimens, showing further improvement after 3 months and stabilizing thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that significant lowering of LDL-cholesterol with atorvastatin may favorably affect kidney function, in particular microalbuminuria as a measure of endothelial function. It remains to be seen whether this effect can be attributed to lipid lowering alone.
BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence indicates that significant lowering of LDL-cholesterol by means of LDL apheresis may reduce the level of microalbuminuria in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. We therefore examined whether treatment with the most potent LDL-lowering drug available (atorvastatin) has a similar effect on the level of microalbuminuria. MATERIAL/ METHODS: In a case series, 100 patients with familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia were started on 10 mg atorvastatin. 62 patients were switched to 40 mg atorvastatin once in the evening when the LDL-cholesterol treatment goals were not reached within 1 month. RESULTS: Baseline serum creatinine clearance significantly improved after 1, 3 and 6 months, while serum urea and serum creatinine were unchanged. Blood pressure exhibited a lowering trend. After one month of treatment, the mean level of microalbuminuria was significantly improved in both dose regimens, showing further improvement after 3 months and stabilizing thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that significant lowering of LDL-cholesterol with atorvastatin may favorably affect kidney function, in particular microalbuminuria as a measure of endothelial function. It remains to be seen whether this effect can be attributed to lipid lowering alone.
Authors: David B Sacks; Mark Arnold; George L Bakris; David E Bruns; Andrea Rita Horvath; M Sue Kirkman; Ake Lernmark; Boyd E Metzger; David M Nathan Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2011-06 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: V G Athyros; D P Mikhailidis; A A Papageorgiou; A N Symeonidis; A N Pehlivanidis; V I Bouloukos; M Elisaf Journal: J Clin Pathol Date: 2004-07 Impact factor: 3.411