[Effect of 6-month therapy with simvastatin on lipid transport function of the blood and the state of endothelium in patients with diabetes and hypertension].

The state of lipid transport function of the blood, blood contents of stable nitrogen metabolites, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-a and IL-1b) during therapy with simvastatin were studied in 29 patients receiving combination antihypertensive therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and verapamil. Lipid lowering action of simvastatin was realized just in 1 month of treatment and remained sustained for half a year (average duration). 6 months after addition of simvastatin to antihypertensive therapy substantial (58.4%, p=0.044) rise of plasma content of stable nitrogen metabolites took place. At the same time therapy with metoprolol in a similar group of patients exerted no considerable effect on blood plasma concentration of nitrate and nitrite anions. Lowering of median values of TNF-alpha from 20.13 (12.67-52.80) to 11.34 (3.31-31.29) pg/ml (p<0.0038) was also noted at the background of combination antihypertensive therapy. This happened without distinct affair with degree of lipid lowering action of simvastatin. The results of the study document positive effect of half year treatment of patients with concomitant hypertension and diabetes with simvastatin (10-20 mg/day) in combination with ACEI and verapamil on metabolism of nitric oxide and plasma content of TNF-alpha which realizes independently from degree of hypolipidemic action of simvastatin.