Tousoulis D, Koniari K, Antoniades C, Papageorgiou N, Miliou A, Noutsou M, Nikolopoulou A, Marinou K, Stefanadi E, Siasos G, Charakida M, Kamboli AM, Stefanadis C. Combined effects of atorvastatin and metformin on glucose-induced variations of inflammatory process in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Int J Cardiol 2009;
149:46-9. [PMID:
20034685 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.11.038]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Revised: 09/21/2009] [Accepted: 11/29/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Statin treatment improves survival in patients with atherosclerosis, but their effect on the glucose-induced variations of inflammatory markers, is unknown. We examined the effect of combined therapy with atorvastatin and metformin on glucose-induced variations of inflammatory molecules in patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM).
METHODS
Thirty five subjects with newly diagnosed DM were randomized to receive metformin 850 mg/d (M, n=17) or metformin 850 mg/d+atorvastatin 10mg (n=18). All subjects underwent glucose loading (75 g oral glucose) at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and 3h post-loading, while serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were determined at baseline and at 3h.
RESULTS
Serum TNF-α remained unchanged in metformin at baseline (1.36±0.18 to 1.47±0.21 pg/ml p=NS) and after treatment (1.44±0.71 to 1.31±0.17 pg/ml, p=NS), while it was reduced in metformin+atorvastatin (2.3±0.3 to 2.0±0.4 pg/ml, p=NS at baseline and 1.80±0.2 to 1.65±0.2 pg/ml, p=0.03 after treatment).
CONCLUSIONS
Interestingly, the combination of metformin and atorvastatin partly prevents the glucose-loading induced elevation of glucose levels (at 1 h), suggesting a better response to glucose intake than monotherapy with metformin. In addition, combined treatment with atorvastatin and metformin reduces the post-glucose loading levels of TNF-α compared to metformin monotherapy.
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