[Diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, and therapeutic prospects with simvastatin. General considerations and personal contribution]

Abstract

The Authors examine the relationship between diabetes mellitus, lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis with particular emphasis on the role of insulin and on the therapeutic consequences. The results of a study on the efficacy and tolerability of simvastatin in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in non insulin-dependent diabetic patients are reported. Simvastatin administration induce a significant reduction and increase in total and HDL cholesterol levels respectively contributes to the decrease of triglycerides without interfering with the metabolic control of diabetic condition.