Potential role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins on early podocyte damage in a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and mild hypertension

In the OZR, cholesterol was an important determinant of renal injury. Most notably, glomerulosclerosis in the OZR Is characterized by early podocyte damage and tubulointerstitial injury. In addition, our findings showed that quinapril primarily normalized podocyte morphology, whereas atorvastatin ameliorated renal lesions through the diminution of lipids and by its lipid-independent pleiotropic effect.