title: Renal and vascular protective effects of ezetimibe in chronic kidney disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for not only cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but also chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ezetimibe, a cholesterol absorption inhibitor, lowers cholesterol levels by inhibiting both extrinsic and intrinsic cholesterol absorption via the gastrointestinal duct. However, very few studies have examined its efficacy and safety for patients with dyslipidemia complicated with CKD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven dyslipidemic patients (low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥120 mg/dL) complicated with CKD were given ezetimibe (10 mg/day) for twenty-four weeks. The efficacy and safety of the therapy, including the anti-atherosclerotic and renal protective effects, were then examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant decreases were observed in the levels of LDL-C (158.9 ± 26.9 mg/dL→123.0 ± 31.8 mg/dL; p<0.0001), remnant-like lipoprotein cholesterol (9.3 ± 5.3 mg/dL→7.3 ± 3.8 mg/dL; p<0.05) and lipoprotein (a) (22.0 ± 16.1 mg/dL→16.4 ± 11.0 mg/dL; p<0.01). The estimated glomerular filtration rate did not change, but the urine protein to creatinine ratio decreased significantly (1,107.3 ± 1,454.2 mg/gCre→732.1 ± 1,237.8 mg/gCre; p<0.05). No changes were observed in the carotid intima media thickness, but the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity decreased significantly (1,770.4 ± 590.3 cm/sec→1,702.5 ± 519.9 cm/sec; p<0.05). No adverse events were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ezetimibe can be safely administered even to patients with CKD. The results of this study indicate that ezetimibe may provide some renal protection and suppress the complications of CVD in CKD patients.
authors: The Second Department of Internal Medicine, Kansai Medical University, Japan.
authors: Tatsuyori
authors: T
authors: Morita
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Morimoto
authors: Chikara
authors: C
authors: Nakano
authors: Rika
authors: R
authors: Kubo
authors: Yoshiki
authors: Y
authors: Okuno
authors: Maiko
authors: M
authors: Seo
authors: Kazunori
authors: K
authors: Someya
authors: Mitsutaka
authors: M
authors: Nakahigashi
authors: Hiroko
authors: H
authors: Ueda
authors: Nagaoki
authors: N
authors: Toyoda
authors: Makiko
authors: M
authors: Kusabe
authors: Fusakazu
authors: F
authors: Jo
authors: Nobuyuki
authors: N
authors: Takahashi
authors: Toshiji
authors: T
authors: Iwasaka
authors: Ichiro
authors: I
authors: Shiojima
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D001384:Azetidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000069438:Ezetimibe