REDUCTION OF ALBUMIN EXCRETION RATE IN NORMOTENSIVE MICROALBUMINURIC TYPE-2 DIABETIC-PATIENTS DURING LONG-TERM SIMVASTATIN TREATMENT

OBJECTIVE - To study the long-term effects of simvastatin on urinary a lbumin excretion rate (AER) in normotensive microalbuminuric type 2 di abetic patients with hypercholesterolemia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - A total of 19 normotensive microalbuminuric hypercholesterolemic ty pe 2 diabetic patients entered a double-blind crossover study for 2 ye ars, receiving either simvastatin (20 mg/day) or placebo (each treatme nt for 1 year). RESULTS - Simvastatin significantly decreased plasma c holesterol (total and LDL) after 52 weeks of treatment. A concomitant significant decrease of AER (25% from basal) with no significant chang es in creatinine clearance was observed during the same period. CONCLU SIONS - Our data are in keeping with the hypothesis that simvastatin m ight be used as an additional means to preserve renal function in micr oalbuminuric hypercholesterolemic type 2 diabetic patients.