title: Ezetimibe in diabetes: more than cholesterol lowering?
abstract: Ezetimibe, an inhibitor of cholesterol intestinal absorption, is a lipid lowering agent with potential pleiotropic actions. Ezetimibe in combination with a statin is effective in decreasing low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), lowering triglyceride and raising high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Ezetimibe plus statin achieve LDL-C targets in a greater proportion of patients than statin monotherapy. Ezetimibe also seems to improve renal function, insulin resistance and inflammatory markers. These actions are useful in patients with diabetes. Ezetimibe is a well-tolerated and effective (in terms of achieving LDL-C targets) option inpatients with hyperlipidemia with or without diabetes. This editorial will discuss several properties of ezetimibe, with special reference to diabetes.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarigianni
authors.forename: Niki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Katsiki
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001384:Azetidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000069438:Ezetimibe; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019821:Simvastatin; D000069438:Ezetimibe