The Effects of Atorvastatin Consumption on Biochemical Variables in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Pre-diabetes

Abstract

Background and Aims: Atorvastatin may alter glycemic traits and lipid profiles. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of atorvastatin on biochemical variables in patients with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes (borderline diabetes). Materials and Methods: This study included 80 individuals divided into five groups. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes used atorvastatin 20 mg/day for three months. After three months, variables such as serum fasting blood glucose (FBS), cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured to assess the status of diabetes and pre-diabetes condition. Linear regression was applied to determine the association between atorvastatin uses and alters of biochemical variables levels. Results: The serum FBS and HbA1c levels in patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes who use atorvastatin were significantly lower than in patients with diabetes and pre-diabetes who did not use atorvastatin (p=0.001). Serum cholesterol and LDL-C levels decreased in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients who used atorvastatin in comparison with diabetic and pre-diabetic patients who did not use atorvastatin (p=0.001). In patients with pre-diabetes, the use of atorvastatin slightly increased serum HDL-C levels. However, in patients with diabetes, the use of atorvastatin slightly decreased serum HDL-C level (p= 0.001). Diabetic and pre-diabetic patients who use atorvastatin significantly decreased serum triglyceride levels (p=0.016), while in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients, using atorvastatin slightly increased the serum insulin level (p= 0.003). Conclusions: Atorvastatin using alters fat and sugar indices in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients.