Effects of lipid-lowering therapy on endothelial function and lipid profile in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Aim: To study lipid profile, endothelial function, relationships between external respiration and lipid profile, and the effects of lipid-lowering therapy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A total of 32 male patients aged from 43 to 65 years (mean age: 56+5.4 years) were included in the study; all patients had compensated stage 1 or 2 COPD and received background therapy for CopD. Exclusion criteria were severe concomitant diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, bronchial asthma, arterial hypertension, and cerebrovascular disease. Materials and Methods: 24-hour arterial blood pressure monitoring, lipid spectrum, bodyplethysmography, spirometry, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation of brachial artery were studied before and three months after the treatment with atorvastatin additional to the background therapy. Results: Data of the study showed that, apart from a decrease in diffusing capacity of the lung, all patients with stage 1-2 COPD had abnormal lipid metabolism and decreased endothelium-dependent vasodilation of brachial artery. The use of atorvastatin in this category of patients with COPD contributed to decrease in the atherogenic lipoproteins and was associated with the significant improvement of endothelial function.