Statin-ARB Combination Has Synergistic Vascular Protective Properties

Statins can enhance the inhibitory effect of an ARB on oxidative stress.

In mice, Lescol (fluvastatin) adds to the anti-atherosclerotic effects of the selective angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan. "Our findings provide supporting evidence to initiate new therapeutic concepts for atherosclerosis that should lead to controlled clinical trials," the researchers write.

In previous studies, Dr. Masatsugu Horiuchi and colleagues from Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan, showed that a valsartan-fluvastatin combination could significantly inhibit neointimal formation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.
In this study, the investigators studied the effects of fluvastatin and valsartan alone and together on the development of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E-deficient knockout mice.

Daily fluvastatin 3 mg/kg and valsartan 1 mg/kg alone decreased atherosclerotic area and lipid deposition by about 60% without altering cholesterol levels or blood pressure, the authors report. [p. 759, col. 2, para. 2]

At lower doses, neither drug alone had an effect, the researchers note, but in combination fluvastatin 0.1 mg/kg/day and valsartan 1 mg/kg/day significantly decreased atherosclerotic lesions and lipid deposition. Higher doses of the combination seemed to enhance these effects.

Similar effects on superoxide production were seen, where higher doses of the individual drugs lowered superoxide production, lower doses did not, but the combination at lower doses significantly decreased superoxide production.

"These results suggest that a statin could enhance the inhibitory effect of an ARB on oxidative stress," the authors conclude.
Hypertension 2004;44:758-763.
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DID YOU KNOW: More than 40 percent of Americans take at least one prescription drug and 16.5 percent–one person in every six–take three or more, the government said Thursday. Both figures are up about 5 percentage points in recent years. The study found spending on health climbed 9.3 percent in 2002 to $1.6 trillion