Hippokratia 1997, 1(3):151-158
G Vergoulas, Gr. Miserlis, F. Solonaki, A. Katsaveli, P. Pagidis, G. Imvrios, V. Papanikolaou, D. Takoudas, A. Antoniadis
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of lovastatin in hyperlipidemic renal transplant patients. Fifteen hypercholesterolemic (total cholesterol >240 mg/dl) renal transplant recipients (7 men) with mean age 45 years (range 27-58 years), mean follow up 29.8 months (range 12-85 months), triple drug immunosuppression (cyclosporine A, azathioprine, methylprednizolone) stable renal function and weight in the normal range for sex, age and height, received 10 mg/d lovastatin for three months. Serum total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, apolipoproteins A, Apo ? were measured before and after treatment with lovastatin. Lipoprotein electrophoresis for chylomicrons, pro ?, ? and A lipoproteins was done at the same time. Also serum creatinine, K, Na, Ca, P, CPK, SGOT, SGPT and total protein were measured. Graft function remained stable during the study period, there were no elecrolyte disturbances and no change of CPK and transminase levels was noticed. HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoprotein profile did not change but there was significant fall of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels from 305 ? 55.5 mg/dl to 254.5 ? 29.87 mg/ dl (p = 0.004) and from 200.35 ? 46.17 mg/dl to 158.20 ? 36.28 mg/dl (p = 0.010) respectively. In conclusion low dose lovastatin treatment to hyperlipidemic renal allograft recipients under triple drug immunosuppression is safe and lowers significantly total and LDL cholesterol levels.