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/1) 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 (H = 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.