Effect of pravastatin on markers of endothelial activation in dialysis patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this pilot study was to test the effect of pravastatin on serum levels of high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), IL-6 and the soluble adhesion molecules sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sE-selectin in chronic dialysis patients.


METHODS
At the commencement of the study, serum levels of lipids, liver function tests and endothelial markers (CRP, IL-6, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin) were measured. Patients then commenced 1 month of 10 mg of pravastatin per day, and if tolerated, then 4 months of 40 mg of pravastatin per day. Serum levels of lipids, liver function tests and endothelial markers were repeated after the total of 5 months of pravastatin therapy.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine patients were enrolled, and 25 (male/female 17/8; 21 haemodialysis, 4 peritoneal dialysis) patients completed the study. Pravastatin therapy significantly improved the patients' lipid profiles, but had no significant effect on the levels of CRP, IL-6, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, or sE-selectin.


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term (5 months) treatment with pravastatin in patients receiving chronic dialysis improved their lipid profile, but had no significant effect on surrogate markers of endothelial activation.
Jeffs
Lisa S
LS
Department of Renal Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. lisa.jeffs@student.adelaide.edu.au
Skilton
Frances
F
Nitschke
Jodie
J
Bannister
Kym M
KM
Faull
Randall J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D017035:Pravastatin