Effects of simvastatin and carnitine versus simvastatin on lipoprotein(a) and apoprotein(a) in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of simvastatin and L-carnitine coadministration versus simvastatin monotherapy on lipid profile, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and apoprotein(a) (Apo(a)) levels in type II diabetic patients.


METHODS
In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 75 patients were assigned to one of two treatment groups for 4 months. Group A received simvastatin monotherapy; group B received L-carnitine and simvastatin. The following variables were assessed at baseline, after washout and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 months of treatment: body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, Apolipoprotein A1, Apo B, lipoprotein(a) and apoprotein(a).


RESULTS
At the end of treatment in the carnitine and simvastatin combined group compared with the simvastatin alone group, we observed a significant decrease in glycemia (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.001), Apo B (p < 0.05), Lp(a) (p < 0.05), apo(a) (p < 0.05), while HDL significantly increased (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The coadministration of carnitine and simvastatin resulted in a significant reduction in Lp(a) and apo(a) and may represent a new therapeutic option in reducing plasma Lp(a) levels, LDL cholesterol and Apo B100.
Galvano
Fabio
F
University of Catania, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Viale A. Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy.
Li Volti
Giovanni
G
Malaguarnera
Michele
M
Avitabile
Teresio
T
Antic
Tijana
T
Vacante
Marco
M
Malaguarnera
Mariano
M
D053241:Apoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D053241:Apoprotein(a); D001786:Blood Glucose; D002331:Carnitine; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D019821:Simvastatin; D014280:Triglycerides