Effect of lifestyle modification and atorvastatin on dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction markers in children with steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome

INTRODUCTION: Persistent dyslipidemia in children with steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) causes endothelial dysfunction resulting in adverse cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: Thirty-four patients aged 4-18 years newly diagnosed with SRNS and no previous statin use were enrolled in this longitudinal observational study. Serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and endothelial dysfunction markers (PSCK-9, E-selectin) were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of lifestyle modifications in all patients, and atorvastatin was prescribed to those with LDL-cholesterol > 160 mg/dL. Primary outcome measure was change in plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, PSCK-9, and E-selectin at 12 weeks. The secondary outcome was the correlation of PSCK-9 and E-selectin with lipid profile, blood pressure, BMI, serum albumin, and urine-protein creatinine ratio. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, E-selectin, and PCSK-9 levels at 12 weeks of lifestyle modification and atorvastatin therapy. In a subgroup analysis between the statin group (n = 16) and the non-statin group (n = 18), both groups showed a significant decline in lipid profile parameters with a more pronounced decline in the statin subgroup. Endothelial dysfunction markers (E-selectin and PSCK-9) showed a declining trend in both subgroups, but the decline was not statistically significant in the statin group. CONCLUSION: Dietary and lifestyle modifications led to a decline in endothelial dysfunction markers and an improvement in lipid profile. Statins helped improve dyslipidemia but did not significantly improve endothelial dysfunction markers at 12 weeks.