J Yeungnam Med Sci.  2024 Jul;41(3):188-195. 10.12701/jyms.2024.00094.

Effect of pitavastatin on erythrocyte membrane fatty acid content in patients with chronic kidney disease: two-arm parallel randomized controlled trial

• Kim M
• Kim SE
• Lee SM
• An WS

• KMID: 2558143
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2024.00094

Abstract

Background
Statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Although diabetes mellitus (DM) is a reported side effect of statin treatment, some studies have indicated that pitavastatin does not cause DM. The present study investigated the effect of pitavastatin on the fatty acid (FA) content of erythrocyte membranes, which affects the occurrence of DM and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, changes in adiponectin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were evaluated after pitavastatin treatment.
Methods
A total of 45 patients were enrolled, 28 of whom completed the study. Over 24 weeks, 16 patients received 2 mg pitavastatin and 12 patients received 10 mg atorvastatin. Dosages were adjusted after 12 weeks if additional lipid control was required. There were 10 and nine patients with DM in the pitavastatin and atorvastatin groups, respectively. Erythrocyte membrane FAs and adiponectin levels were measured using gas chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.
Results
In both groups, saturated FAs, palmitic acid, trans-oleic acid, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly lower than those at baseline. The arachidonic acid (AA) content in the erythrocyte membrane increased significantly in the pitavastatin group, but adiponectin levels were unaffected. HbA1c levels decreased in patients treated with pitavastatin. No adverse effects were associated with statin treatment.
Conclusion
Pitavastatin treatment in patients with CKD may improve glucose metabolism by altering erythrocyte membrane AA levels. In addition, pitavastatin did not adversely affect glucose control in patients with CKD and DM.

Keyword

Chronic kidney disease; Diabetes mellitus; Fatty acid; Pitavastatin

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Consort diagram of the study population. AKI, acute kidney injury.

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  Fig. 2. Changes in HbA1c before and after the administration of pitavastatin to patients with hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. HbA1c, glycated hemoglobin. *p<0.05, mean values are significantly different from the baseline data.

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  Fig. 3. Changes in arachidonic acid in erythrocyte membrane fatty acids after receiving (A) 24 weeks of pitavastatin and (B) 24 weeks of atorvastatin. *p<0.05, mean values are significantly different from the baseline data.

Reference

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