[Kidney and statins].

Abstract

Patients with chronic renal diseases (CRD) have a high prevalence of lipid abnormalities. Elevated levels of total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with cardiovascular diseases in patients with CRD. The 3-hydroxy-methylglutaryl co-enzyme A reductase inhibitors appear to be the most effective agents to lower LDL cholesterol in this category of patients and are generally safe if used with caution. They should be drugs of first choice in CRD but dosage reduction and close monitoring may be required to avoid side effects in case of renal failure or in combination with calcineurin inhibitors. Moreover recent studies suggest that in addition to lowering plasma LDL cholesterol, theses compounds may modify several factors implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and the progression of chronic renal failure. Such newly defined effects may contribute to extend the use of statins in the management of renal patients.