The effect of atorvastatin on the lipid profile and inflammatory cytokines in hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of atorvastatin on lipid profile and plasma levels of several mediators of inflammation in end-stage renal disease under HD therapy. METHODS: Hemodialysis patients who underwent hemodialysis three times a week and had low-density cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) levels higher than 100 mg / dl despite diet and exercise therapy for six weeks were included in the study. Patients with diseases that could affect lipid profile and inflammatory cytokine levels and / or patients using drugs were excluded from the study. At the beginning of the study, atorvastatin 1x10 mg / day treatment was initiated. Routine biochemical parameters, lipid profile, high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cytokine (tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-1)) levels were measured before treatment and at the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients (42.5% (n: 17) female and 57.5% (n: 23) male) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 52.05 ± 14 (20-69) years. Atorvastatin administration for 8 weeks significant decreases of TC (-22,8 %, p<0,0005), LDL-C (-25,5 %, p<0,0005), TNF-α (-46,5 %, p<0,0005) and hs-CRP (-26,6 %, p=0,004) were observed. No significant changes were observed in HDL-C, TG and TGF-β1 levels. Atorvastatin treatment did not affect the creatinine kinase level, and no classical adverse effects were observed during the study CONCLUSION: These results suggest that administration of atorvastatin is safe in patients on long-term HD therapy and, in addition to the lipid-lowering effect, atorvastatin had an antiinflammatory effect in HD patients.