title: HDL-C and the diabetic patient: target for therapeutic intervention?
abstract: A low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a key feature of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. HDL particles exert an anti-atherogenic effect, and low HDL-C levels are associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. The profile of lipoprotein sub-classes may also be abnormal in patients with the metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes, with an excess of atherogenic small low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. Statins are first-line lipid-modifying drugs that, in addition to varying in their effects on LDL-C, differ in their effects on HDL-C. Rosuvastatin has been shown to be at least as effective at increasing HDL-C compared with atorvastatin, pravastatin or simvastatin. Selecting an agent that will increase HDL-C levels, as well as lowering LDL-C levels, may be particularly beneficial in the treatment of patients with the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Cardiology Center, Northwestern University, The Feinberg School of Medicine, 201 East Huron Street, Galter Pavilion Suite 11-120, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. r-rosenson@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rosenson
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL