Rosuvastatin does not affect fasting glucose, insulin resistance, or adiponectin in patients with mild to moderate hypertension

Abstract

The effects of statins on insulin resistance and new-onset diabetes are unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of rosuvastatin on insulin resistance and adiponectin in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. In a randomized, prospective, single-blind study, 53 hypertensive patients were randomly assigned to the control group (n=26) or the rosuvastatin (20 mg once daily) group (n=27) during an 8-week treatment period. Both groups showed significant improvements in systolic blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) after 8 weeks of treatment. Rosuvastatin treatment improved total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. The control and rosuvastatin treatment groups did not differ significantly in the change in HbA1c (3.0±10.1% vs. -1.3±12.7%; p=0.33), fasting glucose (-1.3±18.0% vs. 2.5±24.1%; p=0.69), or fasting insulin levels (5.2±70.5% vs. 22.6±133.2%; p=0.27) from baseline. Furthermore, the control and rosuvastatin treatment groups did not differ significantly in the change in the QUICKI insulin sensitivity index (mean change, 2.2±11.6% vs. 3.6±11.9%; p=0.64) or the HOMA index (11.6±94.9% vs. 32.4±176.7%; p=0.44). The plasma adiponectin level increased significantly in the rosuvastatin treatment group (p=0.046), but did not differ significantly from that in the control group (mean change, 23.2±28.4% vs. 23.1±27.6%; p=0.36). Eight weeks of rosuvastatin (20 mg) therapy resulted in no significant improvement or deterioration in fasting glucose levels, insulin resistance, or adiponectin levels in patients with mild to moderate hypertension.

Keywords: Adiponectin; Blood glucose; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors; Insulin resistance.

Fig. 1

Flow chart of the study.

Fig. 2

Percentage change in HbA1C, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin levels. The control and rosuvastatin treatment groups did not show significant changes in HbA1C levels (mean change, 3.0±10.1% vs. -1.3±12.7%; p=0.33), fasting glucose levels (-1.3±18.0% vs. 2.5±24.1%; p=0.69), or fasting insulin levels (mean change, 5.2±70.5% vs. 22.6±133.2%; p=0.27) from baseline.

Fig. 3

Percentage change in QUICKI and HOMA indices. The control and rosuvastatin treatment groups did not show significant changes in the QUICKI index (mean change, 2.2±11.6% vs. 3.6±11.9%; p=0.64) or the HOMA index (11.6±94.9% vs. 32.4±176.7%; p=0.44). QUICKI: Quantitative Insulin-Sensitivity Check Index, HOMA: Homeostasis Model Assessment.

Fig. 4

Percentage change in adiponectin level. The adiponectin level significantly increased in the rosuvastatin group (p=0.046) but showed no significant difference compared with the control group (mean change, 23.2±28.4% vs. 23.1±27.6%; p=0.36).