Effect of atorvastatin on LDL oxidation and antioxidants in normocholesterolemic type 2 diabetic patients

Background: Oxidative stress in diabetes increases lipid peroxidation, whic h stimulates the development of atherosclerosis. Methods: We investigated i n a 3-month placebo-controlled study with 19 normocholesterolemic type 2 di abetic patients whether treatment with 10-mg atorvastatin influenced antiox idants and reduced LDL oxidizability, assessed by in vitro production of co njugated dienes after copper-induced LDL oxidation, Results: The lag phase, as a measure of the resistance of LDL to oxidation, did not change (62.8 /- 8.2 respectively 59.6 +/- 9.7 min. p = n.s.). while conjugated dienes de creased (512 +/- 74 respectively 487 +/- 50 nmol, p = 0.012). Plasma alpha -tocopherol and ubiquinol levels decreased, while their ratios to LDL chole sterol remained stable. Conclusions: Atorvastatin favourably influences som e parameters of LDL oxidation. Whether this effect is clinically relevant r emains to be determined. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .