Atorvastatin and Diabetic Vascular Complications

Authors: Yamagishi, Sho-ichi; Matsui, Takanori; Nakamura, Kazuo

Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design, Volume 12, Number 12, April 2006 , pp. 1549-1554(6)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

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Abstract:

Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme for cholesterol synthesis, and share the common mechanism of lowering circulating levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Among various statins, atorvastatin is the most widely used statin for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Recent clinical trials show that atorvastatin reduces the risk of cardiovascular events and slows the progression of atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery diseases. Further, intensive therapy with atorvastatin is also associated with an early clinical benefit in patients with acute coronary syndrome. These observations support the concept that beyond lipid-lowering effects of atorvastatin, that is, pleiotropic effects, could contribute at least in part to cardiovascular event reduction. Diabetic vascular complication is a leading cause of end-stage renal failure, acquired blindness, a variety of neuropathies and accelerated atherosclerosis, which could account for disabilities and high mortality rates in patients with diabetes. However, whether atorvastatin therapy decreases the risk for the development and progression of diabetic vascular complications and the way that it might achieve these effects are not fully elucidated. In this paper, we focus on diabetic vascular complications and review the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in the treatment of these devastating disorders. We further discuss here the possible vasculoprotective properties of atorvastatin in patients with diabetes.

Keywords: Advanced glycation end products; atherosclerosis; diabetes; oxidative stress

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161206776389796

Affiliations: 1: Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830- 0011, Japan.

Publication date: 2006-04-01

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Current Pharmaceutical Design publishes timely in-depth reviews covering all aspects of current research in rational drug design. Each issue is devoted to a single major therapeutic area. A Guest Editor who is an acknowledged authority in a therapeutic field has solicits for each issue comprehensive and timely reviews from leading researchers in the pharmaceutical industry and academia.

Each thematic issue of Current Pharmaceutical Design covers all subject areas of major importance to modern drug design, including: medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, drug targets and disease mechanism.

Atorvastatin and Diabetic Vascular Complications

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