Differential metabolic effects of pravastatin and simvastatin in hypercholesterolemic patients

Abstract Background Lipophilic and hydrophilic statins have different effects on adiponectin and insulin resistance in experimental studies and different effects on the rate of onset of new diabetes in large scale clinical studies. Therefore, we hypothesized that simvastatin and pravastatin may have differential metabolic effects in hypercholesterolemic patients. Methods This was a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study. Age, gender, and body mass index were matched. Forty-three patients were given placebo, simvastatin 20 mg, or pravastatin 40 mg, respectively once daily for 2 months. Results Simvastatin and pravastatin therapy significantly changed lipoprotein levels and improved flow-mediated dilation after 2 months when compared with baseline ( P < 0.001) or placebo treatment ( P < 0.001 by ANOVA). Simvastatin therapy significantly increased insulin levels (mean % changes; 127%, P = 0.014) and decreased plasma adiponectin levels (10%, P = 0.012) and insulin sensitivity as assessed by QUICKI (6%, P = 0.007) when compared with baseline. By contrast, pravastatin therapy did not significantly change insulin levels (−3%, P = 0.437) but significantly increased plasma adiponectin levels (9%, P = 0.011) and insulin sensitivity (6%, P = 0.008) when compared with baseline. In addition, these effects of simvastatin were significant when compared with pravastatin ( P < 0.001 for insulin levels by ANOVA on Ranks, P < 0.001 for adiponectin and P = 0.001 for QUICKI by ANOVA). When compared with baseline, simvastatin significantly increased plasma leptin levels (35%, P = 0.028), but pravastatin did not (1%, P = 0.822). Conclusions Despite causing comparable changes in lipoprotein and endothelium-dependent dilation, simvastatin and pravastatin therapy had differential metabolic effects in hypercholesterolemic patients that may be clinically relevant.