Efficacy analysis of the lipid-lowering and renoprotective effects of rosuvastatin in patients with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

We aimed to assess the effects of rosuvastatin treatment on lipid levels, albuminuria, and kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We conducted a prospective, open-label, study of 91 patients with CKD, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels > 120 mg/dL, and well-controlled blood pressure who were undergoing treatment with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. Subjects were treated with 2.5 mg/day rosuvastatin, which was increased to 10 mg/day for the 24-week study period. Rosuvastatin effectively reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels, and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. Although there was no significant change in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum cystatin C levels and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio were significantly decreased. Subjects were divided into 2 groups: with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). Percent changes of HDL-C, C-reactive protein (CRP), and malondialdehyde-modified (MDA)-LDL were significantly higher in the DM group than in the non-DM group. Furthermore, when the subjects were divided into 2 groups based on eGFR levels (60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or more, normal-GFR group; less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2), decreased-GFR group), the percent reduction of non-HDL-C, CRP, MDA-LDL levels, and albuminuria of DM subjects in the decreased-GFR group were significantly higher than those in the non-DM subjects. Multivariate analysis identified a change in cystatin C to be associated with decreased albuminuria during rosuvastatin treatment. Rosuvastatin administration reduced albuminuria, serum cystatin C levels, and inflammation, and improved lipid profiles, regardless of the presence or absence of DM, and the degree of the eGFR.