Proteomic approach to the study of statin pleiotropy in kidney transplant patients

Background/Aims: Statins are prescribed in kidney transplant recipients in order to manage dyslipidemia, a common complication in these patients. The efficacy of statins in reducing cholesterol levels has been accompanied by pleiotropic effects. Fifty-four kidney transplant patients were included in the present study, the objective of which was to ascertain the effect of 12 weeks of atorvastatin therapy (10 mg/day) on the patients' lipid profile, renal function, markers of inflammation and plasma peptide profile. Methods: Biochemical variables were determined with a routine clinical laboratory analyzer, and the proteomic approach was based on magnetic particle-assisted sample processing coupled to mass spectrometry readout. Results: Atorvastatin therapy improved the lipid profile of patients and caused significant changes in their plasma peptide profile; peptides with m/z 1063 and 1898 decreased after treatment and were identified as fragments derived from molecules involved in vascular inflammation, i.e. high-molecular-weight kininogen and complement factor C4, respectively. Conclusion: These findings may contribute to the growing body of evidence of the anti-inflammatory actions attributed to statins, by which these drugs could improve these patients' clinical status. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.