Clinial research on efficacy of statins in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of statins in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN).Methods:Ninty-four patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary interventions(PCI) were randomly divided into three groups:atorvastatin group(n=22),simvastatin group(n=24) and control group(n=48).Patients in atorvastatin group and simvastatin group were given atorvastatin 20 mg/d and simvastatin 20 mg/d respectively during 24 to 48 hours before PCI.Serum levels of urea,creatinine and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL) before and after the procedure were compared between the groups.Endogenous creatinine clearance rate was calculated.Results:The levels of creatinine in simvastatin group and atorvastatin group were lower at 24 h and 72 h after the procedure than those before operation.In control group,24 h after the procedure the creatinine level was increased compared with that before operation.The creatinine level returned to preoperative level 72 h after the procedure.There were no significant differences in the changes of urea,creatinine and endogeous creatinine clearance rate.The levels of NGAL in three groups were increased after PCI,indicating that NGAL was a renal protective micromolecular protein related to renal damage.Serum level of NGAL was significantly increased[(6.98±2.24) vs(5.77±2.25) ng/ml,P0.05] in control group and slightly increased in statins groups.Conclusion:Renal damage is slighter in statins groups than in control group.Statins have some effect on preventing CIN.Treatment with statins before angiography can reduce the incidence of CIN.