title: Lipid modulation in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effect on microvascular outcomes.
abstract: Although hyperlipidemia is associated with the development of diabetes complications, the effect of lipid reduction on microvascular complications is unknown. We initiated a 2-year, randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled pilot trial of simvastatin/diet vs. diet alone in Type 1 diabetic patients without overt nephropathy. Thirty-nine patients with LDL cholesterol 100-160 mg/dl, >10 year duration of diabetes and an albumin excretion rate (AER) <200 microg/min were recruited for study. The primary end-point was change in AER. Secondary end-points were change in ankle-brachial index, progression of retinopathy status, change in vibratory threshold, and development of new clinical neuropathy. Nineteen patients were treated with simvastatin and twenty with placebo. However, because of the lowering of drug initiation levels by the American Diabetes Association, the trial was terminated early with 2 subjects reaching 2 years, 17 reaching 18 months, 36 reaching 1 year, and all 6 months. Simvastatin significantly reduced total cholesterol (mean on treatment 173.4 vs. 191.4, P=.020) and LDL cholesterol (mean on treatment 105.0 vs. 127.7, P<.001). Simvastatin therapy was associated with a slower rise in AER compared to placebo, though the result was not statistically significant (median rate of change/month 0.004 vs. 0.029). There was a trend towards slower progression of neuropathy as measured by vibratory threshold (median change at 1 year 0.03 simvastatin vs. 0.94, P=.07). There was no difference in change in ankle-brachial index, clinical neuropathy status, or retinopathy status. In conclusion, treatment with simvastatin may have a beneficial effect on early nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy, justifying a fully powered trial. However, this would be difficult under current treatment guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 938 Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. lff9+@pitt.edu
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Silvers
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Orchard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000652:urine; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000503:physiopathology; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010919:Placebos; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D010919:Placebos; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D019821:Simvastatin