Lovastatin But Not Enalapril Reduces Glomerular Injury in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats

Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rats fed a high salt diet develop hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and progressive renal disease. Previous studies have suggested that lipids may be important in the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis in Dahl S rats. To investigate this possibility, Dahl S rats fed 4% NaCl chow were treated chronically with the cholesterol synthesis inhibitor lovastatin. After 22 weeks, lovastatin-treated rats had a 38% reduction in serum cholesterol, a 76% reduction in urine albumin excretion, and one-sixth the incidence of focal glomerulosclerosis compared with vehicle-treated control rats. Blood pressure in lovastatin-treated rats was significantly (p