Single high dose atorvastatin does not ameliorate endothelial function and large arterial stiffness in dyslipidemic patients without atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Many studies show that statins have beneficial effects on atherosclerotic risk factors and markers such as flow mediated dilatation (FMD). However, studies on early effects of statins on endothelial function of non atherosclerotic humans are limited. AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a single high dose of atorvastatin could improve endothelial function and large arterial stiffness in statin naive dyslipidemic non-atherosclerotic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty statin naïve dyslipidemic non-atherosclerotic patients from Cardiology Outpatient Clinic were enrolled. Arterial stiffness and endothelial function of patients were evaluated by assessing the finger photoplethysmography and the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery before and 24 hour after oral administration of 80 mg atorvastatin. RESULTS: Stiffness indices and FMD 24 hours after administration of 80mg atorvastatin did not differ from baseline measurements (6.89 +/- 1.90 vs. 7.06 +/- 2.37 p : NS and 9.13 +/- 6.07 vs. 9.80 +/- 6.34 p : NS). CONCLUSIONS: Although it is widely accepted that statins improve endothelial function, evidences of early effect might largely be associated with endothelial injury. Our study suggests that beneficial early effects of statins might not be applicable to patients without atherosclerosis.

Effects of sympatholytic therapy with moxonidine on serum adiponectin levels in hypertensive women.

We examined whether moxonidine influences lipid profile, insulin resistance, adiponectin levels, renal function and microalbuminuria in women with essential hypertension in a study of 55 non-diabetic hypertensive patients and 53 normotensive women. Hypertensive patients received moxonidine for 12 weeks. At baseline the hypertensive group had significantly higher mean blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, urinary albumin excretion and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), together with significantly lower mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatinine clearance and serum adiponectin than the normotensive group. Moxonidine significantly decreased blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HOMA-IR and albumin excretion, but significantly increased serum adiponectin. The change in adiponectin level was negatively correlated with the change in HOMA-IR. Moxonidine treatment may improve unfavourable metabolic status related to insulin resistance by increasing adiponectin levels in patients with essential hypertension. Since it can improve adiponectin levels, it may be used in the antihypertensive treatment of patients at high risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Adiponectin and insulin resistance in obesity-related diseases.

The relationship between insulin resistance and serum adiponectin levels in 400 subjects with different obesity-related diseases was studied. Lean subjects with body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m(2) were placed in one group and the other five groups of overweight/obese subjects with BMI >or= 25 kg/m(2) were grouped according to disease profile. The homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and adiponectin levels were similar in the lean, metabolically normal (MNO) and hypertensive groups, but were different when the dyslipidaemic group was compared with the lean and MNO groups. The type 2 diabetic (DMO) and hypertensive, type 2 diabetic (DMHTO) groups were significantly different from other groups with respect to HOMA-IR index and adiponectin levels. Adiponectin levels were lower in the DMHTO than the DMO group. In multiple regression analysis, adiponectin levels correlated with group categorization independently of age, sex, BMI and HOMA-IR. Hypoadiponectinaemia may play a role in the development of complications of obesity.