Effect of AT1 receptor blockers on plasma lipid profiles in type 1 diabetic patients with incipient diabetic nephropathy

Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system are considered as the first line antihypertensive drugs in therapy of incipient diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim od this study was to investigate the effect of angiotensin II receptor blockers-valsartan, on plasma lipid profiles in diabetic patients with persistent microalbuminuria (McA). Among the group of 67 type 1 diabetic patients, we choose 20 normotensive patients with incipient DN, who were divided into two groups (10 patients each): valsartan group, treated with 80 mg valsartan daily during 6 months, and the group treated with placebo during the same period. After 6 months therapy, the reduced values of total cholesterol (5.35 “ 1.19 vs 5.20 “ 1.94 mmol/L), triglyceride (1.42 “ 0.79 vs 1.21 “ 0.69 mmol/L) and LDL-cholesterol fraction (3.41 “ 1.21 vs 3.31 “ 0.84 mmol/L) were registrated in valsartan group. While compared with placebo gruop, reduction in serum triglyceride values reached statistical singificancy (-15.5%; p<0.05). Patients with persistent McA have a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than diabetics without this complication. These results, therefore, suggests beneficial effect of valsartan on lipid metabolism, additionally to secondary prevention of chronic diabetic complications.