Author/Editor		Lunder, Mojca; Janić, Miodrag; Jug, Borut; Šabovič, Mišo
Title		The effects of low-dose fluvastatin and valsartan combination on arterial function: a randomized clinical trial
Type		članek
Source		Eur J Intern Med
Vol. and No.		Letnik 23, št. 3
Publication year		2012
Volume		str. 261-6
Language		eng
Abstract		BACKGROUND: Ageing progressively diminishes arterial functions, even in the absence of traditional risk factors. Our aim was to explore whether age-related arterial changes in middle-aged males could be reversed using short-term, low-dose fluvastatin/valsartan combination intervention. METHODS: Forty apparently healthy, middle-aged males (43.3+/-5.8years) were recruited in a double-blind, randomised intervention. Individuals received either 10mg fluvastatin/20mg valsartan daily or placebo over 30days. The brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and common carotid artery beta-stiffness were assessed at baseline and after 30days, and again 5-10months after therapy discontinuation. RESULTS: Arterial function variables significantly improved after 30days of intervention; FMD improved by 167.7% (P<0.001), PWV by 10.9% (P<0.05) and beta-stiffness by 18.8% (P<0.01), whereas no changes were obtained in the placebo group. The favourable outcomes in the intervention group were accompanied by a significant decrease of high sensitivity-C reactive protein levels (1.8-fold; P<0.05). In contrast, lipids and blood pressure remained unchanged. Surprisingly, the beneficial arterial effects were still present to a substantial degree 7months after completing intervention (remaining % of initial improvement: FMD 82.1%, PWV 69.5% and beta-stiffness 68.5%), but declined substantially after 10months. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that age-related arterial changes, at least in middle-aged males, can be reversed. Short-term treatment with a low-dose fluvastatin/valsartan combination resulted in a large and long lasting improvement of arterial function.
Descriptors		BRACHIAL ARTERY CAROTID ARTERY, COMMON ANTILIPEMIC AGENTS AGING BLOOD FLOW VELOCITY MIDDLE AGE ENDOTHELIUM, VASCULAR TREATMENT OUTCOME DOUBLE-BLIND METHOD RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS