Effects of short-term add-on ezetimibe to statin treatment on expression of adipokines and inflammatory markers in diabetic and dyslipidemic patients

Abstract

Aim: The influence of short-term add-on ezetimibe to simvastatin treatment on expression of adipokines and inflammatory markers was investigated in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia. Method: Hypercholesterolemic nondiabetic (HC, n = 37) and diabetic (DM, n = 47) patients were treated with simvastatin (SV, 10 or 20 mg/d/8-wk) and then SV plus ezetimibe (SV + EZ, 10 mg each/d/4 wk). Serum lipids, glycemic profile, and inflammatory markers (hsCRP, adiponectin, resistin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1) were evaluated before and after the add-on ezetimibe therapy. mRNA expression of ADIPOR1, ADIPOR2, RETN, VCAM1, and ICAM1 was measured by real-time PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Results: Serum concentrations of LDL and HDL cholesterol, and adiponectin were higher in HC than DM patients (P