Lovastatin raises serum osteoprotegerin level in people with type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
OBJECTIVE
Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a glycoprotein, is a member of the tumor necrotizing factor alpha receptor super-family. By considering the possible role of OPG in cardiovascular disease (CVD), higher incidence of CVD in people with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN), and anti-atherosclerotic effects of statins, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of lovastatin on serum levels of OPG and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (sRANKL) in people with T2DN.


METHODS
Thirty patients completed the study course, out of 38 adult male patients with T2DN who were initially enrolled. Lovastatin, 20mg/d, was administered for 90 days. Afterwards, lovastatin was withdrawn for the next 30 days. Serum levels of OPG and sRANKL were measured using commercial ELISA kits at baseline, after 90 days of intervention, and after 30 days of withdrawal of lovastatin.


RESULTS
Serum level of OPG was significantly increased (10.76 ± 16.44) and decreased (-7.38 ± 11.98) during 90 days of intervention and 30 days of withdrawal periods, respectively, while, sRANKL level was significantly decreased (-1192.08 ± 578.20) and increased (4418.67 ± 2124.66) during the same periods, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Lovastatin therapy increased serum OPG level and decreased sRANKL level in people with T2DN. The withdrawal of lovastatin decreased serum OPG level, while sRANKL level was extensively increased.
Nezami
Nariman
N
Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Eastern Azerbaijan, Iran. dr.nezami@gmail.com
Safa
Javid
J
Eftekhar-Sadat
Amir Taher
AT
Salari
Behzad
B
Ghorashi
Sona
S
Sakhaee
Khashayar
K
Khosraviani
Khashayar
K
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003710:Demography; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids; D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D008148:Lovastatin