An update on renoprotective effects of atorvastatin

Abstract

Statins such as atorvastatin, significantly reduce cholesterol synthesis via inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and atorvastatin has antioxidant activity, so can increase blood antioxidant capacity. Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). One of the most significant effect of atorvastatin is reduction of kidney injury especially in CKD. Also atorvastatin has beneficial effects in preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury and in decreasing various factors, involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy. Ameliorative effects of atorvastatin have been studied by many researchers and this article attempts to review these studies including effectiveness of atorvastatin in patients with renal injury, type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy. In most of studies, lower doses of atorvastatin were more effective than higher doses.

Keywords: Atorvastatin, Antioxidant, Reactive oxygen species, Diabetes, Chronic kidney disease, Acute kidney injury, Contrast nephropathy