Effects of fluvastatin treatment on insulin sensitivity in patients with hyperlipidaemia

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of fluvastatin treatment on insulin sensitivity in patients with hyperlipidaemia. Non-obese, normoglycaemic, normotensive patients with hyperlipidaemia (n = 20) and a reference group of healthy subjects of similar age, sex, and body mass index (n = 20) were evaluated. Patients with other causes of peripheral insulin resistance were excluded. All participants underwent a diagnostic protocol, which included measurements of insulin sensitivity index and other metabolic parameters. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA). Serum insulin levels were tested by radio-immunoassay. Patients were treated with fluvastatin 40 mg once daily for 3 months. Before fluvastatin treatment, fasting serum insulin levels were significantly raised in patients with hyperlipidaemia compared with subjects from the reference group (19.1 ± 13.4 versus 8.1 ± 3.4 μIU/ml). The fasting serum insulin levels and HOMA-estimated insulin sensitivity were correlated in the whole group. Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between HOMA-estimated insulin resistance and plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Patients with hyperlipidaemia had reduced insulin sensitivity that was reflected by high serum fasting insulin levels. Anti-hyperlipidaemic treatment with fluvastatin increases insulin sensitivity.