Statin therapy ameliorates renal allograft function.
BACKGROUND
Statins have proven ability as antilipidemic agents and benefit cardiovascular survival in transplant recipients. The pleiotropic effects of statins on renal function in renal allograft recipients are still undetermined.


METHODS
Statin therapy was initiated according to guidelines for cardiovascular protection. Serum creatinine concentration and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were analyzed before and after introduction of statins. The 73 patients who were retrospectively studied included those who were dialysis-dependent. Mean changes in eGFR and lipid profile were compared before and after commencing statins using chi(2) tests.


RESULTS
Mean serum creatinine concentration 18 months before starting statin therapy was 160.13 mumol/L, and 24 months after starting statin therapy was 172.22 mumol/L. Mean eGFR was 53.40 mL/min 18 months before starting statin therapy, and decreased to 49.43 mL/min after starting statin therapy. This represented a decline in renal function of 0.22 mL/min/mo over 18 months. The eGFR at 12 months after beginning statin therapy was 52.67 mL/min, and at 24 months was 49.06 mL/min. The rate of decline of eGFR after starting statin therapy was significantly lower: 0.02 mL/min/mo over 24 months (P < .001). Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were significantly decreased after starting statin therapy (P < .001). Four of 73 patients developed graft failure within 24 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Statin therapy in our setting was associated with a lower rate of decline in renal function in renal allograft recipients within 2 years of starting treatment.
Hariparshad
S P
SP
Division of Nephrology, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, South Africa.
Madala
N D
ND
Assounga
A G H
AG
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044383:Black People; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000502:physiology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D044465:White People
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine