Objective: Statin therapy decreases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and ezetimibe, a novel cholesterol absorption inhibitor has both lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects in animal models. As several adipokines, that is, adiponectin, high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, leptin and/or possibly resistin are involved in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidaemia and atherosclerosis, we investigated whether ezetimibe and/or statin treatment may modulate serum concentrations of these four major adipokines.
Research design and methods: One-centre, randomized, parallel three-group study in 72 healthy men [mean age 32 +/- 9 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 25.7 +/- 3.2 kg/m(2)].
Patients: Seventy-two healthy men. Each group of 24 subjects received a 14-day treatment with either ezetimibe (10 mg/day), simvastatin (40 mg/day) or their combination. Blood was drawn before and after the 14-day treatment period.
Measurements: Lipid levels, IR indices, serum leptin, adiponectin, HMW adiponectin and resistin concentrations. Results Neither ezetimibe nor simvastatin or their combination had any effect on serum leptin, adiponectin, HMW adiponectin and resistin concentrations. Baseline leptin levels correlated positively, while adiponectin and HMW adiponectin negatively, with BMI. Leptin concentrations correlated negatively while adiponectin and HMW adiponectin positively with plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations. Resistin concentrations were not associated with BMI, lipid levels or indicators of IR.
Conclusions: Treatment with ezetimibe, simvastatin or their combination does not alter circulating levels of adiponectin, leptin or resistin in adult healthy men.