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 ± 5.8 years) were recruited in a double-blind, randomised intervention. Individuals received either 10mg fluvastatin/20mg valsartan daily or placebo over 30 days. The brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and common carotid artery β-stiffness were assessed at baseline and after 30 days, and again 5-10 months after therapy discontinuation.
RESULTS
Arterial function variables significantly improved after 30 days of intervention; FMD improved by 167.7% (P<0.001), PWV by 10.9% (P<0.05) and β-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 7 months after completing intervention (remaining % of initial improvement: FMD 82.1%, PWV 69.5% and β-stiffness 68.5%), but declined substantially after 10 months.
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.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Lunder M, Janić M, Jug B, Sabovič M

Institution

Department of Vascular Disease, University of Ljubljana Medical Centre, Zaloška 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. mojca.lunder@mf.uni-lj.si

Source

European journal of internal medicine 23:3 2012 Apr pg 261-6

MeSH

Adult
Aging
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers
Atherosclerosis
Blood Flow Velocity
Brachial Artery
Carotid Arteries
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Drug Therapy, Combination
Endothelium, Vascular
Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
Humans
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Indoles
Male
Middle Aged
Pulsatile Flow
Tetrazoles
Valine
Vascular Stiffness

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22385885