Effect of rosuvastatin treatment on plasma visfatin levels in patients with primary hyperlipidemia

Visfatin is a novel adipokine involved in the process of atherosclerosis. We assessed the effect of rosuvastatin on plasma visfatin levels in patients with primary hyperlipidemia. Eighty hyperlipidemic patients without evidence of cardiovascular disease were randomized to receive either rosuvastatin 10 mg/day or therapeutic lifestyle changes intervention. Plasma visfatin levels were determined at baseline and after 12-weeks post-randomization. Rosuvastatin induced a significant decrease in plasma visfatin levels (17.1 ± 2.1 versus 15.5 ± 2.0 ng/ml, P = 0.03). This effect correlated with baseline visfatin levels (r = 0.51, P < 0.01) and was independent of any lipid-lowering actions of rosuvastatin.