Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia is now recognized as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in patients with normal renal function. Hyperhomocysteinemia is common in patients with chronic renal failure. Kidney transplant recipients have a high risk of cardiovascular death. Recently, attention has been paid to the association between homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. Dyslipidemia is also common in kidney transplant recipients. The purpose of this study was to assess whether fluvastatin in a dose of 20 mg affects homocysteine concentration in 10 stable renal transplant recipients. We evaluated Hcy, lipoprotein (a) by the use of commercially available kits as well as plasma fibrinogen and cholesterol, triglycerides and albumin levels. All the parameters were studied before and after 1, 2 and 3 months of fluvastatin treatment. Cholesterol and LDL decreased significantly as early as after 1 month and remained lowered during the therapy. No significant changes in Hcy, lipoprotein (a) and fibrinogen were found during therapy with fluvastatin. Fluvastatin is an effective hypolipemic agent and has no effect on Hcy and fibrinogen concentration in kidney transplant recipients.

Keywords: Anticholesteremic Agents - administration & dosage, Anticholesteremic Agents - therapeutic use, Cholesterol - blood, Cholesterol, LDL - blood, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated - therapeutic use, Fibrinogen - analysis, Homocysteine - blood, Indoles - therapeutic use, Kidney Transplantation, Lipids - blood, Lipoprotein(a) - blood, Osmolar Concentration, Time Factors, Transplantation, Homologous, Triglycerides - blood