title: The effect of short-term combined treatment with simvastatin and ezetimibe on circulating adipokine levels in patients with isolated hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although several studies have assessed plasma adipokines in patients treated with hypolipidemic agents, these studies have provided contrasting results.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 19 high-risk patients with elevated total and LDL cholesterol levels treated with simvastatin (40 mg daily) and ezetimibe (10 mg daily). Plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, tumour necrosis factor-α, free fatty acids as well as C-reactive protein were measured before and after 30 days of treatment. High-risk hypercholesterolemic patients were compared with 17 age-, sex- and weight-matched healthy subjects who did not receive any treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the healthy subjects, hypercholesterolemic patients exhibited lower plasma levels of adiponectin, as well as higher plasma levels of the remaining adipokines. Administration of simvastatin and ezetimibe for 30 days reduced plasma levels of leptin, visfatin, TNF-α, as well as increased plasma levels of adiponectin. The treatment also reduced free fatty acids and C-reactive protein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-risk hypercholesterolemic patients with elevated cholesterol levels are characterised by abnormal production of adipose tissue hormones. Short-term treatment with simvastatin and ezetimibe partially restores adipokine production and inhibits low-grade inflammation.
authors.affiliation: r.krysiak@interia.pl.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krysiak
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zmuda
authors.forename: Bogdan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marek
authors.forename: Bogusław
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Okopień
mesh_terms: D054392:Adipokines / Q000097:blood*; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000069438:Ezetimibe / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D054392:Adipokines; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D019821:Simvastatin; D000069438:Ezetimibe