Atorvastatin effect on values of endotheli-al condition and acute inflammation in patients on program hemodialysis

Objective: To study the effect of atorvastatin on the values of endothelial condition and acute inflammation in patients on program hemodialysis (PHD). Material and methods: The patients were divided into two groups: 28 PHD patients (main group) received atorvastatin, 20 mg once a day for 30 days, and 26 patients (control group) had PHD only. Endothelin 1-21 (ET) level and von Willebrand factor (vWF) activity were determined by enzyme immunoassay, nitric oxide (NO) levels — spectrophotometrically, C-reactive protein (CRP) — by immunoturbidimetric method, fibrinogen — by Clauss method. Results: After 30 days of observation, control patients were found to have NO and ET increase, as well as the reduced activity of vWF relative to initial data, while fibrinogen and CRP levels scarcely changed. The main group patients had similar changes of endothelial condition values, and their fibrinogen and CRP levels decreased. The correlation between the changes of ET and fibrinogen levels was recorded in the patients of the main group. Conclusion: 30-day administration of atorvastatin, 20 mg per day, lowers CRP and fibrinogen levels in PHD patients. It proves the applicability of statins in this group of patients in case of signs of inflammation.