Improving Total-Cholesterol/HDL-Cholesterol Ratio Results in an Endothelial Dysfunction Recovery in Peripheral Artery Disease Patients

Aims. To evaluate the effects of variations of total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and the effects of the atorvastatin on endothelial function in peripheral artery disease (PAD). Material and Methods. A prospective, randomised controlled study was carried out in 150 PAD patients. Patients randomized to the control group () were treated with antiplatelet drugs, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors and cardiovascular-risk-factor control. Experimental group () also received treatment with atorvastatin for a month. It was determined baseline nitrite plasma levels and total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio and after one month of treatment in both groups. It was also analysed the correlation between the gradient of nitrite levels and the differential of total-cholesterol/HDL ratio in treatment group. Results. After a month, a reduction in nitrite levels was detected in treatment group ( μM versus 5.7 ± 1.8 μM, ). It was shown a higher decrease in nitrite plasma levels in the atorvastatin group finding lower levels assessments (5.7 ± 1.8 μM versus 13.1 ± 9.1 μM, resp., ). A significant reduction in total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio was observed in statin group after treatment (). A strong correlation was found between the gradient of nitrite levels and the differential of total-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio in atorvastatin group (; ). Conclusions. Improvement of nitrite levels are associated with decreased total cholesterol/HDL ratio values in PAD patients treated with atorvastatin.