Early Improvements in insulin sensitivity and inflammatory markers are induced by pravastatin in nondiabetic subjects with hypercholesterolemia

BackgroundStatins may improve lipid profiles and inflammation-associated biomarkers, but the effect on insulin sensitivity is controversial. We investigated the effects of 2 doses of pravastatin (40 and 10 mg/day) on insulin sensitivity and serum inflammatory markers in nondiabetic hypercholesterolemic patients.MethodsThis was a randomized, parallel, comparative design study. A total of 40 nondiabetic subjects with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were randomized to either the 40 mg pravastatin/day group (n = 21) or the 10 mg pravastatin/day group (n = 19) for 8 weeks. The fasting serum lipid profile, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), glucose and insulin response of the two-hour glucose tolerance test (2 h-OGTT), and several inflammatory markers were determined.ResultsEight weeks of pravastatin treatment in both dose groups led to a significant reduction in serum LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/ high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratios (all p < 0.01 in 40 mg group and all p < 0.05 in 10 mg group), though the 40 mg group had greater effects. Although the fasting HOMA insulin resistance did not change significantly in either group, glucose and insulin areas under the curve of 2 h-OGTT were significantly decreased, suggesting improvement in insulin sensitivity post glucose challenge. Serum CD-40 ligand concentration was significantly reduced in the 40 mg pravastatin/day group and soluble P-selectin significantly reduced in both groups.ConclusionsPravastatin treatment, at 10 mg or 40 mg daily for 8 weeks, reduced serum lipids and some inflammatory markers in nondiabetic hypercholesterolemic subjects. Furthermore, insulin resistance was improved even in short-term treatment by pravastatin.