title: Atorvastatin and diabetic vascular complications.
abstract: Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol synthesis, and share the common mechanism of lowering circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Among various statins, atorvastatin is the most widely used statin for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Recent clinical trials show that atorvastatin reduces the risk of cardiovascular events and slows the progression of atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery diseases. Further, intensive therapy with atorvastatin is also associated with an early clinical benefit in patients with acute coronary syndrome. These observations support the concept that beyond lipid-lowering effects of atorvastatin, that is, pleiotropic effects, could contribute at least in part to cardiovascular event reduction. Diabetic vascular complication is a leading cause of end-stage renal failure, acquired blindness, a variety of neuropathies and accelerated atherosclerosis, which could account for disabilities and high mortality rates in patients with diabetes. However, whether atorvastatin therapy decreases the risk for the development and progression of diabetic vascular complications and the way that it might achieve these effects are not fully elucidated. In this paper, we focus on diabetic vascular complications and review the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in the treatment of these devastating disorders. We further discuss here the possible vasculoprotective properties of atorvastatin in patients with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. shoichi@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Sho-ichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamagishi
authors.forename: Takanori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids; D011758:Pyrroles; D000069059:Atorvastatin