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Effect of lovastatin, an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor, on acute renal allograft rejection
Author(s) -
Sahu Km,
Sharma Rk,
Gupta A,
Gulati S,
Agarwal Dk,
Kumar A,
Bhandari M
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
clinical transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1399-0012
pISSN - 0902-0063
DOI - 10.1034/j.1399-0012.2001.150305.x
Subject(s) - lovastatin , medicine , hmg coa reductase , pravastatin , placebo , hydroxymethylglutaryl coa reductase , gastroenterology , reductase , azathioprine , transplantation , kidney transplantation , urology , fluvastatin , kidney , pharmacology , surgery , endocrinology , cholesterol , simvastatin , enzyme , biochemistry , pathology , chemistry , alternative medicine , disease
3‐Hydroxy‐3‐methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors are established anti‐lipidemic agents. They also exert immunomodulatory effects. Two recent reports suggest that pravastatin may be useful in decreasing the incidence and severity of acute rejections (ARs) in heart and kidney transplant recipients. We undertook this prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double blind trial to investigate the effect of lovastatin on acute renal allograft rejection. Sixty‐five consecutive, one‐haplotype‐matched, living related first renal transplant recipients were randomized to receive either lovastatin 20 mg/d or placebo for 3 months, in addition to cyclosporine, azathioprine, and steroids. Lipid levels, AR episodes, and liver and muscle enzymes were followed for 3 months post‐transplant. At the end of the study period, lovastatin had successfully controlled lipid levels. However, there was no effect on AR episodes (15.15% in the treatment group vs. 18.75% in the placebo group).