Comparison of effects of carbohydrate metabolism compensation and atorvastatin treatment on lipid metabolism and C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aim. To compare effects of atorvastatin treatment and carbohydrate metabolism compensation on lipid spectrum and a C-reactive protein (CRP) level in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).
Material and methods. The lipid spectrum was studied in a random sample of 165 patients (66 males, 99 females) with type 2 DM (age median 57 years, duration of the disease 7 years). Out of this sample 26 patients with LDLP cholesterol > 3 mmol/l were randomized into 2 groups. The study group received 20 mg/day atorvastatin for 3 months, the control group received no inhibitors of GMG-Coa-reductase. The patients' blood was tested for glycosylated hemoglobin, aminotransferase, creatinphosphokinase, total, HDLP, LDLP cholesterol.
Results. Changes in the lipid spectrum were detected in 98.2% patients, 42.4% of them had combined dyslipidemia: elevated total cholesterol (TC), LDLP cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and low HDLP cholesterol. After 3 months of therapy both groups demonstrated the same significant lowering of HbA1c. The control group had also elevated level of HDLP cholesterol, unchanged levels of TC, LDLP cholesterol, TG. 3-month therapy with atorvastatin lowered TC from 6.41 to 4.76 mmol/l, LDLP cholesterol from 4.19 to 1.87 mmol/l, TG from 2.69 to 1.62 mmol/l, apo B from 1.64 to 1.13 mg/dl, raised HDLP from 0.99 to 1.21 mmol/l (p < 0.05). CRP fell from 5.65 to 2.33 mg/dl (p = 0.026) irrespective of carbohydrate metabolism compensation (CRP in the control group did not change).
Conclusion. More than 98% type 2 diabetics have atherognic impairment of the lipid spectrum. Atorvastatin produces an antiatherogenic effect due to both improvement of the lipid metabolism and CRP level reduction irrespective of the degree of compensation of carbohydrate metabolism in type 2 DM.

type 2 diabetes mellitus, lipid metabolism, C-reactive protein, atorvastatin