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Item #9
HIGH-DOSE
Statins Benefit Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
New
study finds that Type 2 diabetics significantly lowered their level of
C reactive protein with high doses of statins.
The
results are published in the January 2003 issue of the journal Atherosclerosis.
Known
as CRP, C reactive protein is a substance produced by the liver in
response to inflammation. It has become a useful 'marker' for
predicting such conditions as coronary artery disease and stroke. High
blood pressure and diabetes, which are considered independent risk
factors for heart disease, may also cause an increase in CRP.
CRP
levels can be measured with a blood test. If CRP levels are elevated
or high, then one or more parts of the body are inflamed. Therefore,
the C reactive protein test is often used in conjunction with other
diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis related to infection or
inflammation. The information gained by a CRP test can be important in
diagnosing infections or evaluating the effectiveness of certain
treatments.
Previous
research has shown that statins, a class of cholesterol reducing
drugs, are effective in lowering CRP levels. Statins are a type of
cholesterol-reducing drug that lower the levels of fats (lipids) in
the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Statins work by
blocking the production of specific enzymes used by the body to make
cholesterol. They are effective in lowering blood fat levels in
patients with of high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) and
are therefore helpful in the prevention of coronary, cerebrovascular
and peripheral vascular disease.
The
current study investigated whether higher doses of statins provided
added benefit. A group of 186 individuals with Type 2 diabetes was
selected to receive 10 milligrams (mg) of atorvastatin (a type
of statin), 80 mg of atorvastatin, or an inactive pill (placebo). None
of the participants had heart disease. CRP levels were measured 30
weeks later. In those given placebo, CRP levels increased 6.6 percent.
CRP levels decreased by 15 percent in the 10 mg group and by 47
percent in the 80 mg group. The researchers concluded that high dose
atorvastatin was effective in reducing inflammation in individuals
with risk factors for heart disease.
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