Acute Effects of Atorvastatin on Glomerular Filtration Rate, Tubular Function, Blood Pressure, and Vasoactive Hormones in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

• Published in: Journal of clinical pharmacology 2010-07, Vol.50 (7), p.816-822
• Main Authors: Paulsen, L., Matthesen, S. K., Bech, J. N., Starklint, J., Pedersen, E. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Atorvastatin; Atorvastatin Calcium; blood pressure; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Cholesterol; Cross-Over Studies; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology; diabetes type 2; Double-Blind Method; Female; glomerular filtration rate; Glomerular Filtration Rate - drug effects; Heart attacks; Heptanoic Acids - pharmacology; Hormones; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Kidney Tubules - drug effects; Male; Middle Aged; Peptide Hormones - physiology; Pyrroles - pharmacology; sodium; Sodium - urine
• ISSN: 0091-2700; 1552-4604
• DOI: 10.1177/0091270009350627

Statins improve cardiovascular survival in both nondiabetic and diabetic patients, but diabetic patients benefit more, in both primary and secondary prevention. Statins seem to have multiple effects beyond cholesterol lowering, that is, pleiotropic effects that may include changes in renal function. This study tests the hypothesis that acute treatment with atorvastatin may change glomerular filtration rate, tubular function, vasoactive hormones, blood pressure, and pulse rate in patients with type 2 diabetes. In an acute, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded, crossover trial, the effects of atorvastatin on renal function, vasoactive hormones, blood pressure, and pulse rate are measured in 21 patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients are randomized to either 2 doses of atorvastatin 80 mg or placebo before 2 different study days. Treatment with atorvastatin induces a significant reduction in fractional sodium excretion compared with placebo, and sodium clearance tends to be reduced. No significant differences in glomerular filtration rate, albumin/creatinine ratio, vasoactive hormones, and blood pressure by acute treatment with atorvastatin are found in diabetic patients. Acute treatment with atorvastatin reduces renal fractional sodium excretion in patients with type 2 diabetes. No changes are measured in glomerular filtration rate, albumin/creatinine ratio, vasoactive hormones, and blood pressure.