Atorvastatin does not affect insulin sensitivity and the adiponectin or leptin levels in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetes

Background: In addition to lipid lowering, further pleotropic effects of statins have been postulated. We aimed to study if the various pleotropic effects are due indirectly to the modulation of adipocytokines. Materials and methods: We studied the effect of atorvastatin on insulin sensitivity and the plasma adiponectin and leptin concentrations. Our randomized open labeled study had 29 hyperlipidemic Type 2 diabetic patients (114 females, 15 males, mean age 60.0 +/- 2.2 yr). They were randomized into three 12-week atorvastatin intervention types. Each day patients were given either 10 mg (no.=1 0), 20 mg (no.=10) or 40 mg (no.=9). Evaluations were performed before and after intervention. Results: All baseline characteristics were statistically identical in the 3 groups. Drop in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycericle levels were measured at the end. With 10 mg the drop was 30%, 37%, and 30%. The 20 mg group was 43%, 54%, and 34%. The 40 mg group was 42%, 51 %, and 27%. Groups had no significant change of body mass index, HDL-cholesterol, and glycated hemoglobin levels. Also, levels of insulin, adiponectin, leptin, homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) stayed the same. Pooled parameters of all 29 patients showed no difference in levels of insulin, adiponectin, leptin, HOMA, and QUICKI before and after treatment. Conclusions: Atorvstatin does not affect insulin sensitivity and the adiponectin or leptin levels in hyperlipidemic Type 2 diabetes.