Effect of rosuvastatin treatment on plasma visfatin levels in patients with primary hyperlipidemia

Visfatin and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Type 2 Diabetes: Impact of Cardiovascular Drugs

Background and Objectives: The role of adipokines in the development of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has not yet been fully elucidated. The effects of drugs on adipokine concentrations have only been evaluated in very few studies, although they may be of clinical importance. This study aimed to assess whether the concentrations of circulating adipokines could predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM, as well as their interactions with commonly used cardiovascular drugs. Materials and Methods: Our population-based cross-sectional multicentric study included 216 participants with T2DM but without previously diagnosed atherosclerosis. The carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), plaque and ankle-brachial index (ABI) metrics were measured. Resistin, visfatin, retinol-binding protein 4, high molecular weight adiponectin and leptin levels were evaluated using Luminex's xMAP technology. Results: Visfatin and resistin concentrations correlated positively with IMT (p = 0.002 and p = 0.009, respectively). The correlation of visfatin to IMT ≥ 1.0 mm was significant in males (p < 0.001). Visfatin had a positive correlation with IMT ≥ 1.0 mm or plaque (p = 0.008) but resistin only correlated with plaque (p = 0.049). Visfatin predicted IMT ≥ 1.0 mm or plaque in patients on β-blocker monotherapy (p = 0.031). Visfatin lost its ability to predict subclinical atherosclerosis in patients taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers or statins. After adjustments for risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular drugs, visfatin maintained an independent association with mean IMT (p = 0.003), IMT ≥ 1.0 mm or plaque (p = 0.005) and ABI ≤ 0.9 (p = 0.029). Conclusions: Visfatin could be used as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with T2DM, especially in males. The assessment of visfatin concentration could aid in identifying individuals who could benefit from implementing preventive measures against atherosclerosis.

Inflammation as A Precursor of Atherothrombosis, Diabetes and Early Vascular Aging

Vascular disease was for a long time considered a disease of the old age, but it is becoming increasingly clear that a cumulus of factors can cause early vascular aging (EVA). Inflammation plays a key role in vascular stiffening and also in other pathologies that induce vascular damage. There is a known and confirmed connection between inflammation and atherosclerosis. However, it has taken a long time to prove the beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on cardiovascular events. Diabetes can be both a product of inflammation and a cofactor implicated in the progression of vascular disease. When diabetes and inflammation are accompanied by obesity, this ominous trifecta leads to an increased incidence of atherothrombotic events. Research into earlier stages of vascular disease, and documentation of vulnerability to premature vascular disease, might be the key to success in preventing clinical events. Modulation of inflammation, combined with strict control of classical cardiovascular risk factors, seems to be the winning recipe. Identification of population subsets with a successful vascular aging (supernormal vascular aging-SUPERNOVA) pattern could also bring forth novel therapeutic interventions.

Rosuvastatin cocrystals: an attempt to modulate physicochemical parameters

Background

The meager physicochemical properties like low solubility and low dissolution rate of rosuvastatin calcium remain as an obstruction for formulation development. In the present work, we explore the evolution of rosuvastatin cocrystal, which may offer the synergetic physico-chemical properties of the drug. Cocrystal crafting depends on two possible intermolecular interactions; heteromeric and the homomeric selection of compounds with complementary functional groups are contemplated as a possible cause of supramolecular synthons in cocrystal formation. Specifically, cocrystals of rosuvastatin with l-asparagine and l-glutamine with molar ratio (1:1) were fabricated by using slow solvent evaporation and slow evaporation techniques. Novel cocrystals of rosuvastatin-asparagine (RSC-C) and rosuvastatin-glutamine (RSC-G) cocrystals obtained by slow solvent evaporation were utilized for preliminary investigation and further scale-up was done by using the solvent evaporation technique.

Results

The novel cocrystals showed a new characteristic of powder X-ray diffraction, thermograms of differential scanning calorimetry, 1H liquid FT-NMR spectra, and scanning electron microscopy. These results signify the establishment of intermolecular interaction within the cocrystals. In both the novel cocrystals, rosuvastatin was determined to be engaged in the hydrogen bond interaction with the complementary functional groups of l-asparagine and l-glutamine. Compared with the pure rosuvastatin, RSC-C and RSC-G cocrystal showed 2.17-fold and 1.60-fold improved solubility respectively. The dissolution test showed that the RSC-C and RSC-G cocrystal exhibited 1.97-fold and 1.94-fold higher dissolution rate than the pure rosuvastatin in pH6.8 phosphate buffer respectively.

Conclusion

Modulation in the chemical environment, improvement in the solubility, and dissolution rate demonstrated the benefit of co-crystallization to improve the physicochemical properties of the drug.

Graphical abstract

Lipid-lowering efficacy of rosuvastatin

BACKGROUND

Rosuvastatin is one of the most potent statins and is currently widely prescribed. It is therefore important to know the dose-related magnitude of effect of rosuvastatin on blood lipids.

OBJECTIVES

Primary objective To quantify the effects of various doses of rosuvastatin on serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in participants with and without evidence of cardiovascular disease. Secondary objectives To quantify the variability of the effect of various doses of rosuvastatin.To quantify withdrawals due to adverse effects (WDAEs) in the randomized placebo-controlled trials.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Issue 10 of 12, 2014 in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (1946 to October week 5 2014), EMBASE (1980 to 2014 week 44), Web of Science Core Collection (1970 to 5 November 2014) and BIOSIS Citation Index (1969 to 31 October 2014). No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomized controlled and uncontrolled before-and-after trials evaluating the dose response of different fixed doses of rosuvastatin on blood lipids over a duration of three to 12 weeks.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently assessed eligibility criteria for studies to be included and extracted data. WDAEs information was collected from the placebo-controlled trials.

MAIN RESULTS

One-hundred and eight trials (18 placebo-controlled and 90 before-and-after) evaluated the dose-related efficacy of rosuvastatin in 19,596 participants. Rosuvastatin 10 to 40 mg/day caused LDL-cholesterol decreases of 46% to 55%, when all the trials were combined using the generic inverse variance method. The quality of evidence for these effects is high. Log dose-response data over doses of 1 to 80 mg, revealed strong linear dose-related effects on blood total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol. When compared to atorvastatin, rosuvastatin was about three-fold more potent at reducing LDL-cholesterol. There was no dose-related effect of rosuvastatin on blood HDL-cholesterol, but overall, rosuvastatin increased HDL by 7%. There is a high risk of bias for the trials in this review, which would affect WDAEs, but unlikely to affect the lipid measurements. WDAEs were not statistically different between rosuvastatin and placebo in 10 of 18 of these short-term trials (risk ratio 0.84; 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 1.47).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The total blood total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol-lowering effect of rosuvastatin was linearly dependent on dose. Rosuvastatin log dose-response data were linear over the commonly prescribed dose range. Based on an informal comparison with atorvastatin, this represents a three-fold greater potency. This review did not provide a good estimate of the incidence of harms associated with rosuvastatin because of the short duration of the trials and the lack of reporting of adverse effects in 44% of the placebo-controlled trials.

Effect of simvastatin treatment on plasma visfatin levels in obese women

AIMS

Obesity is one of the major concerns in the world currently, its prejudicial effect is exerted by proteins secreted by adipose tissue, among them visfatin was demonstrated to be related with BMI and cardiovascular diseases. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are known to minimize the cardiovascular risk in hyperlipidemic patients and recently the discovery of various pleiotropic effects has made the statins evidencing among others anti-inflammatory effect. Our objective in this study was to determinate if simvastatin treatment may modulate visfatin levels in obese women without any other metabolic disorder.

METHODS

We recruited 25 obese women without any other metabolic disorder and treated with simvastatin for 6 weeks 20 mg/day.

RESULTS

The levels of plasma visfatin were similar before and after treatment (22 ± 20 versus 27 ± 14 ng/mL, p > 0.05) and correlated with BMI before treatment (p = 0.001). We also found correlations among visfatin and insulin levels (p = 0.015) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.025) only after treatment.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that visfatin is not modulated by simvastatin treatment in this group but the treatment may interfere on the relation among visfatin, BMI, insulin and HOMA-IR.

Does combination therapy with statins and fibrates prevent cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients with atherogenic mixed dyslipidemia?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins have an established efficacy in the management of dyslipidemia primarily by decreasing the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and thus decreasing CVD risk. They also have a favorable safety profile. Despite the statin-mediated benefit of CVD risk reduction a residual CVD risk remains, especially in T2DM patients with high triglyceride (TG) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) values. Fibrates decrease TG levels, increase HDL-C concentrations, and improve many other atherosclerosis-related variables. Fibrate/statin co-administration improves the overall lipoprotein profile in patients with mixed dyslipidemia and may reduce the residual CVD risk during statin therapy. However, limited data exists regarding the effects of statin/fibrate combination on CVD outcomes in patients with T2DM. In the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) study the statin/fibrate combination did not significantly reduce the rate of CVD events compared with simvastatin/placebo in patients with T2DM. However, it did show a possible benefit in a pre-specified analysis in the subgroup of patients with high TG and low HDL-C levels. Furthermore, in the ACCORD study the simvastatin/fenofibrate combination significantly reduced the rate of progression of retinopathy compared with statin/placebo administration in patients with T2DM. The present review presents the available data regarding the effects of statin/fibrate combination in patients with T2DM and atherogenic mixed dyslipidemia.

Increased plasma visfatin concentration is a marker of an atherogenic metabolic profile

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Visfatin is associated with atherosclerosis-related diseases. We assessed in non-diabetic individuals the association of plasma visfatin levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and the atherosclerosis-related metabolic variables.

METHODS AND RESULTS

When study population (n = 179, age 49 ± 11 years) was divided according to visfatin tertiles, the 10-year CVD Framingham risk scores were significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile. We observed a positive association between visfatin tertiles with waist circumference and blood pressure, as well as with total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but not with apolipoprotein C-III, fibrinogen or pre-beta1 high density lipoprotein (HDL). The percentage of large HDL subclasses was significantly lower and the percentage of small HDL subclasses over the HDL-C concentration was significantly higher in the top visfatin tertile compared with the other tertiles. The atherogenic small dense low density lipoprotein subclasses (sdLDL-C) were significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile compared with the lower tertiles. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration was significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile compared with the lower tertiles. Although age and sex distribution did not differ between visfatin tertiles, the simultaneous adjustment for these parameters attenuated the significance of the differences observed in sdLDL-C and hsCRP levels. Similarly, after adjustment for hsCRP or waist circumference, only triglycerides and blood pressure levels, as well as the distribution of HDL subclasses, remained significantly different between visfatin tertiles.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support a role for visfatin in the detection of subjects with many metabolic abnormalities, which result in increased CVD risk.

Adipokines: a novel link between adiposity and carotid plaque vulnerability

BACKGROUND

In patients with carotid stenosis, we prospectively investigated the association of novel adipokines, apelin and visfatin, with gray-scale median (GSM) score, a valid index of carotid plaque vulnerability. We also assessed the impact of atorvastatin therapy on the above biochemical and imaging markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-four overweight [body-mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m(2) , fat-mass > 30%], statin-free patients, with carotid stenosis, but without indications for intervention were enrolled. Thirty-eight age-, sex- and BMI-matched healthy subjects served as healthy controls (HC). All patients received gradual titrated (10-80 mg) atorvastatin therapy to target LDL-C < 100 mg/dL. GSM score, blood pressure (BP), fat-mass, lipid profile, and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), apelin and visfatin levels were obtained at baseline and after 24 months.

RESULTS

At baseline, patients with carotid atherosclerosis had worse lipid profile, lower apelin and higher systolic BP, hsCRP, visfatin levels compared with HC (P < 0·05). Notably, decreased apelin (P < 0·001) and GSM score (P = 0·010), while increased visfatin (P = 0·019) and hsCRP (P = 0·039) levels were found in symptomatic rather than asymptomatic patients. At baseline, GSM score correlated with fat-mass, BMI, LDL-C, visfatin and apelin (P < 0·05). Apelin, visfatin and fat-mass remained independent determinants of baseline GSM score (R(2) = 0·391, P = 0·007). In parallel, we found that apelin increment and LDL-C reduction were independently associated with the atorvastatin-induced GSM increase (R(2) = 0·411, P = 0·011).

CONCLUSION

Increased fat-mass, low apelin and high visfatin serum levels seem to correlate with carotid plaque vulnerability in patients with carotid stenosis. The atorvastatin-induced modification of apelin and LDL-C may beneficially affect carotid plaque stability.

Effects of atorvastatin on apelin, visfatin (nampt), ghrelin and early carotid atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes

To investigate the influence of atrovastatin treatment on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and serum levels of novel adipokines, like apelin, visfatin (nampt), and ghrelin, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). 87 statin-free patients (50 males) with T2DM, aged 55-70, but without carotid atherosclerotic plaques were initially enrolled. CIMT was assayed in all participants by ultrasound. Patients were then treated with atorvastatin (10-80 mg) to target LDL <100 mg/dl. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, glycemic and lipid profile, high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), apelin, visfatin and ghrelin were measured at baseline and after 12 months. Atorvastatin treatment significantly improved lipid profile across with increased apelin (from 0.307 ± 0.130 pg/ml to 1.537 ± 0.427 pg/ml; P < 0.001) and suppressed visfatin (from 21.54 ± 10.14 ng/ml to 15.13 ± 7.61 ng/ml; P = 0.002) serum levels in our diabetic patients. Standard multiple regression analysis showed that the atorvastatin-induced increment in apelin was independently associated with changes in total cholesterol (β = -0.510, P = 0.030) and LDL-cholesterol (β = -0.590, P < 0.001) (R (2) = 0.449, P = 0.014), while the reduction of visfatin concentration was independently associated with the change in hsCRP (β = 0.589, P < 0.001; R (2) = 0.256, P = 0.006), after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. CIMT and ghrelin did not alter significantly after 12 months of atorvastatin treatment (NS). Among participants, high-dose (80 mg) rather than low-dose (10 mg) of atorvastatin treatment yielded greater (P < 0.05) changes in apelin, visfatin and CIMT levels despite the final equivalent levels of LDL. Atorvastatin administration increased apelin and decreased visfatin serum levels significantly, without change of CIMT, in patients with T2DM. However, high-dose of atorvastatin exerted more favourable impact on adipokines and CIMT than low-dose. Our results implicate another important link between adiposity and atherosclerosis.

A review of the role of apolipoprotein C-II in lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease

The focus of this review is on the role of apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II) in lipoprotein metabolism and the potential effects on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We searched PubMed/Scopus for articles regarding apoC-II and its role in lipoprotein metabolism and the risk of CVD. Apolipoprotein C-II is a constituent of chylomicrons, very low-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Apolipoprotein C-II contains 3 amphipathic α-helices. The lipid-binding domain of apoC-II is located in the N-terminal, whereas the C-terminal helix of apoC-II is responsible for the interaction with lipoprotein lipase (LPL). At intermediate concentrations (approximately 4 mg/dL) and in normolipidemic subjects, apoC-II activates LPL. In contrast, both an excess and a deficiency of apoC-II are associated with reduced LPL activity and hypertriglyceridemia. Furthermore, excess apoC-II has been associated with increased triglyceride-rich particles and alterations in HDL particle distribution, factors that may increase the risk of CVD. However, there is not enough current evidence to clarify whether increased apoC-II causes hypertriglyceridemia or is an epiphenomenon reflecting hypertriglyceridemia. A number of pharmaceutical interventions, including statins, fibrates, ezetimibe, nicotinic acid, and orlistat, have been shown to reduce the increased apoC-II concentrations. An excess of apoC-II is associated with increased triglyceride-rich particles and alterations in HDL particle distribution. However, prospective trials are needed to assess if apoC-II is a CVD marker or a risk factor in high-risk patients.

Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to influence adipose tissue function

Obesity is associated with metabolic derangements such as insulin resistance, inflammation and hypercoagulobility which can all be understood as consequences of adipose tissue dysfunction. The potential role for adipose tissue derived cytokines and adipokines in the development of vascular disease and diabetes may produce a clinical need to influence adipose tissue function. Various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions affect plasma cytokine and adipokine levels. The effects of these interventions depend on weight loss per se, changes in fat distribution without weight loss and/or direct effects on adipose tissue inflammation.

Weight loss, as a result of diet, pharmacology and surgery, positively influences plasma adipokines and systemic inflammation. Several classes of drugs influence systemic inflammation directly through their anti-inflammatory actions. PPAR-γ agonism positively influences adipose tissue inflammation in several classes of intervention such as the thiazolidinediones and perhaps salicylates, CB1-antagonists and angiotensin II receptor blockers. Furthermore, within drug classes there are differential effects of individual pharmacologic agents on adipose tissue function.

It can be concluded that several commonly used pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions have unintended influences on adipose tissue function. Improving adipose tissue function may contribute to reducing the risk of vascular diseases and the development of type 2 diabetes.

Effects of Rimonabant, as Monotherapy and in Combination With Fenofibrate or Ezetimibe, on Plasma Adipokine Levels: A Pilot Study

Weight loss and hypolipidemic drugs can improve lipid and adipokine levels. We assessed the effects of rimonabant, alone and in combination with fenofibrate or ezetimibe, on adipokine levels in obese/overweight patients with dyslipidemia. Overweight/obese patients (n = 60, body mass index = 27-40 kg/m2) with mixed dyslipidemia were recruited. Patients received a hypocaloric diet and were randomized to rimonabant 20 mg/d (group R, n = 20), rimonabant 20 mg/d plus fenofibrate 200 mg/d (group RF, n = 20), or rimonabant 20 mg/d plus ezetimibe 10 mg/d (group RE, n = 20). After 3 months, leptin concentration was significantly reduced in all groups (—38%, P < .005; —40%, P < .005; and —44%, P < .001 in the R, RF, and RE groups, respectively). Total adiponectin remained unaltered. Visfatin concentration decreased significantly only in the RE and RF groups (—18% and —38%, respectively; P < .047). Treatment with rimonabant may improve adipokine levels in overweight/obese patients with dyslipidemia. The addition of fenofibrate or ezetimibe may reinforce this effect.

Effects of sibutramine plus verapamil sustained release/trandolapril combination on blood pressure and metabolic variables in obese hypertensive patients

OBJECTIVE

The management of obese hypertensive subjects may require the administration of anti-obesity and antihypertensive drugs. Sibutramine use has raised concerns regarding a potential increase in subjects' blood pressure and heart rate. The primary end-points of this study were an evaluation of the effect of sibutramine together with a verapamil sustained release/trandolapril combination tablet versus verapamil sustained release/trandolapril alone on the blood pressure and heart rate in obese hypertensive patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN/METHODS

Patients received a low-fat low-calorie diet and were randomly allocated to open-label verapamil sustained release/trandolapril 180/2 mg (n = 26) or sibutramine 10 mg together with verapamil sustained release/trandolapril 180/2 mg (n = 28) daily for 6 months.

RESULTS

Significant reductions in the subjects' systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were observed in both groups (p < 0.01 versus baseline). At 6 months a greater fall in blood pressure was observed in the sibutramine/verapamil sustained release/trandolapril group compared with the verapamil sustained release/trandolapril group (systolic blood pressure 21.9 +/- 8.1 versus 15.9 +/- 12.3 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure 15.7 +/- 8.1 versus 9.1 +/- 9.9 mmHg) but this was only significant (p = 0.03) for diastolic blood pressure. The subjects' heart rate did not change significantly in any group. No significant sibutramine-associated attenuation of blood pressure reduction was observed during the study. The sibutramine/verapamil sustained release/trandolapril treatment resulted in significantly greater improvement in the subjects' anthropometric variables, homeostasis model assessment and lipid profiles compared with verapamil sustained release/trandolapril administration. The subjects' small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and visfatin plasma levels were only measured in the sibutramine/verapamil sustained release/trandolapril group (all decreased by p < 0.05 versus baseline).

CONCLUSIONS

The sibutramine/verapamil sustained release/trandolapril combination in obese hypertensive patients significantly reduced their blood pressure and improved their anthropometric and metabolic variables without affecting the heart rate.

An overview of the extra-lipid effects of rosuvastatin

Statins, in addition to their beneficial lipid modulation effects, exert a variety of several so-called "pleiotropic" actions that may result in clinical benefits. Rosuvastatin, the last agent of the class to be introduced, has proved remarkably potent in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. At present, no large-scale primary or secondary prevention clinical trials document either its long-term safety or its effectiveness in preventing cardiovascular events. A substantial number of experimental and clinical studies have indicate favorable effects of rosuvastatin on endothelial function, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, inflammation, plaque stability, vascular remodeling, hemostasis, cardiac muscle, and components of the nervous system. Available data regarding the effects of rosuvastatin on renal function and urine protein excretion do not seem to raise any safety concerns. Whether the established "pleiotropy" and/or lipid-lowering efficacy of rosuvastatin may translate into reduced morbidity and mortality remains to be shown in ongoing clinical outcome trials.