Effects of atorvastatin on glucose homeostasis, postprandial triglyceride response and C-reactive protein in subjects with impaired fasting glucose.

Aims To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on glucose homeostasis, the basal and postprandial lipid profiles and the CRP levels (C reactive protein) in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Methods Thirty-three subjects (22 men and 11 women) were included in our study. All displayed an IFG (fasting plasma glucose between 6.1 and 7.0 mmol/l) on at least two occasions during the last 6 months prior the study. They were randomly assigned to receive either 40 mg atorvastatin/day (n= 16) or placebo (n= 17) over 16 weeks, in a double-blind design. Before and after the end of the study all participants underwent on three consecutive days: a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, a frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test with Minimal Model analysis and a meal tolerance test (glucose, insulin and triglycerides). CRP was measured before and after the treatment period. Results CRP decreased significantly in the atorvastatin-treated group compared with the placebo group (percent change respect initial values; −42.3 %[−21.5 to − 63.1] and −9.6%[15.0 to −34.0], respectively, p < 0.01). Atorvastatin treatment did not produce any change in oral glucose tolerance categories or induce any change in glucose and insulin response in OGTT. The statin produced a trend towards a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity as expressed by a change in Si from baseline to the end of treatment. Atorvastatin reduced the postprandial response of triglycerides to the meal test compared with placebo (19–26 % across the meal test, p < 0.05) correlating with the amelioration observed in Si (−0.34, p < 0.05; percentage changes). Conclusion Our results suggest that the use of statins in subjects with IFG seems to include other potentially beneficial actions in addition to their cholesterol-lowering effects.