[Lovastatin in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients]

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of lovastatin as an hypocholesterolemic agent in non-insulin dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients with high cholesterol plasma levels.

Methods: Twenty NIDDM patients were included in this study. Hypercholesterolemia was defined as LDL-cholesterol plasma levels above 160mg/dl in female patients and above 130mg/dl in male patients or in women presenting any other risk factor for cardiovascular disease. From the 20 patients included, 18 had also high levels of arterial blood pressure. They were evaluated for admission in the study after they have substituted the antihypertensive medication for at least 6 weeks, from beta-blockers or diuretics to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers. Lovastatin was administered in a initial daily dose of 20mg to all patients for 6 weeks. After this period this dose was increased to 40mg in 11 patients with LDL-cholesterol levels above 130mg/dl. All patients were treated for a total period of 24 weeks.

Results: Lovastatin therapy for 24 weeks reduced LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol plasma levels in 30% and 21%, respectively, while no changes in HDL-cholesterol or triglycerides plasma levels were observed. The medication was well tolerated and no changes in bilirrubins or transaminases plasma levels were detected. In 9 patients the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase showed an elevation and the mean level of all group increased from 109 +/- 59 to 188 +/- 60m mu/ml (p < 0.05). This was an isolated abnormality without any other clinical manifestation.

Conclusion: Lovastatin in NIDDM showed to be an efficient agent to reduce high levels of LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol. However, the importance of the abnormality observed in serum alkaline phosphatase levels deserves further investigation. In this condition we recommend discontinuation of lovastatin therapy.