Effect of atorvastatin on circulating adipocytokine levels in diabetic patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adipocytokines are adipocyte-secreted hormones that have a role in the effects of insulin, metabolism, endothelial function, vascular damage and cardiac disease. Statins have been shown to have cardioprotective effects and to modulate adipose tissue function; however, the effect of each statin on the circulating concentrations of adipocytokines varies. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on adipocytokine levels in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Twenty patients with type 2 diabetes and naive to statins and inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin systems received 10 mg atorvastatin once per day over a three-month period. Adiponectin and resistin levels were measured using ELISA at the beginning and conclusion of the study. Patients were evaluated monthly for blood pressure, fasting serum glucose levels, lipid profile and adverse events. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test RESUlTS: All patients demonstrated a significant reduction in lipid values. Atorvastatin modestly increased the levels of adiponectin (6.85 μg/mL to 8.43 μg/mL; P=0.0602) and significantly decreased the levels of resistin (15.65 pg/mL to 10.09 pg/mL; P=0.022). None of the patients experienced adverse events. CONClUSION: Our results demonstrate that atorvastatin significantly reduced the levels of resistin and induced a modest increase in adiponectin levels. This may, in part, explain the cardiovascular effects observed with statins in diabetic patients.