Renoprotective effect of combining angiotensin II receptor blockers and statins in diabetic rats.

Recent studies suggest that treatment with angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 (AT1) receptor blockers and lipid lowering agents, namely the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins may have beneficial effects on renal function independent of lowering actions on blood pressure and cholesterol.~(1,2) However, the renal effects of the combination of AT1 receptor blockers and statins in experimental diabetes are unknown. The aims of the present study were to determine whether valsartan and fluvastatin would lower the expression of nuclear factor kappa B ((NF-κB))and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) in the tubulointerstitium and improve renal function and to see whether treatment with a combination of valsartan and fluvastatin would have any extra beneficial effect in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced unilaterally nephrectomized diabetic rats.