The effect of simvastatin and bezafibrate on bile composition and gall-bladder emptying in female non-insulin-dependent diabetics.
Female non-insulin-dependent diabetics have a high prevalence of gallstones. Treatment of hyperlipidaemia in these patients may modify the risk. Seventeen female non-insulin-dependent diabetics (age 35-65) were treated with simvastatin (n = 10) or bezafibrate (n = 7) and had the cholesterol saturation index (CSI) of bile and gall-bladder emptying measured before and after 3 months therapy. In both groups, there was a significant reduction in serum cholesterol following treatment. The mean pretreatment cholesterol saturation indices of bile did not differ between the two groups but, after 3 months therapy, there was a highly significant difference in CSI between the bezafibrate group (2.0 +/- 0.33) and the simvastatin group (1.1 +/- 0.14) P < 0.002. Whereas the increase in the CSI (42%) observed with bezafibrate therapy was significant, the decrease in the simvastatin group (14%) was only significant in those whose pretreatment cholesterol saturation indices were elevated. Despite the differences in CSI observed between the two treatment groups, no changes in gall-bladder emptying were detected.
Wilson
I R
IR
Department of Gastroenterology, Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand.
Hurrell
M A
MA
Pattinson
N R
NR
Chapman
B A
BA
D000328:Adult; D001629:Bezafibrate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001646:Bile / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D001629:Bezafibrate