Pitavastatin in cardiometabolic disease: therapeutic profile

Comparing different types of statins for secondary prevention of cardio-cerebrovascular disease from a national cohort study

Statins have been recommended for use in atherosclerotic cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCVD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of five different types of statin in the secondary prevention of CCVD in patients. This study retrospectively designed and analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Health in Korea. Participants aged 40 to 69 years were categorized into five statin groups (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin). The primary composite outcome was defined as recurrence of CCVD or all causes of death. Cox proportional hazard regression models were adopted after stepwise adjustments for confounders to investigate the difference in efficacy among the different statins. Of the 755 final participants, 48 patients experienced primary composite outcomes. After adjustments, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for primary composite outcomes of atorvastatin, pitavastatin, and rosuvastatin groups were 0.956 (0.456–2.005), 1.347 (0.354–5.116), and 0.943 (0.317–2.803), respectively, when compared with the simvastatin group. There were no significant differences between the statins in efficacy for preventing recurrence of CCVD events and/or death in CCVD patients.

Evaluation of high-dose atorvastatin pretreatment influence in patients preconditioning of post coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A prospective triple blind randomized clinical trial

Context

Atorvastatin is considered as lipid reductive drugs with anti-inflammatory and pleotherapic effects in coronary artery bypass graph (CABG).

Aim

This study is conducted to evaluate the effects of atorvastatin in CABG.

Setting and Design

Patients with a coronary bypass graph procedure in Nemazee hospital in Shiraz were divided into two 50-groups receiving high-dose (80 mg) and low-dose (20 mg) atorvastatin.

Materials and Methods

Troponin I, creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB), atrial fibrillation (AF) after CABG, duration of mechanical ventilation, inotrope duration of consumption, blood sugar profile, liver and renal function, death during 30 days of CABG, MACE (major advance cardiac events) during admission in ICU, and 1 month follow up were surveyed.

Statistical Analysis

Collected data were analyzed by independent and paired t-test and Chi square.

Results

AST was increased, ALT, ALK-P after CABG were decreased, and urine volume in the second day of admission in ICU was increased in the high-dose group. There was an increase and following decrease in blood sugar of patients in the high-dose after CABG. An inflammatory marker after CABG was raised in both groups, ck-mb had an increase, and then followed by a reduction. Troporin had no significant differences between groups. Patients with high-dose atorvastatin had better glomerular filtration rate and renal performance. Along with decreasing AF in the case group, hemodynamics' disorder reduced and there was less bleeding.

Conclusion

According to the above, it seems that a short-time prescription of high dose of atorvastatin in CABG can lead to better renal function, decreasing of arrhythmia and AF.

Primary Prevention of Cardiocerebrovascular Diseases and Related Deaths According to Statin Type

(1) Background: Statin is the mainstay of treatment for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiocerebrovascular diseases (CCVDs) in adults with hypercholesterolemia. This study aims to investigate the differences in effect on primary composite outcomes (CCVDs and CCVD-related deaths) among five statins in hypercholesterolemic individuals. (2) Methods: This retrospective study is based on the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort. Participants, aged 40 to 69 years at baseline, were categorized into five statin-treated groups (pitavastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin) and two untreated groups (untreated hypercholesterolemia and no hypercholesterolemia). (3) Results: A total of 161,583 individuals was included. The median follow-up period was 8.2 years. Compared with the pitavastatin group, the hazard ratios (HRs; 95% confidence intervals (CIs)) for CCVDs and CCVD-related deaths of the atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, untreated hypercholesterolemia, and no-hypercholesterolemia groups were 0.969 (0.567-1.657), 0.988 (0.533-1.832), 0.862 (0.490-1.518), 0.906 (0.326-2.515), 2.665 (1.556-4.562), and 0.656 (0.388-1.110), respectively, in men and 1.124 (0.632-1.999), 1.119 (0.582-2.152), 1.324 (0.730-2.400), 1.023 (0.330-3.171), 2.650 (1.476-4.758), and 0.921 (0.522-1.625), respectively, in women, after being fully adjusted. (4) Conclusions: No significant differences among the five statins were observed, but there was an increased risk in untreated hypercholesterolemic individuals, for CCVDs and CCVDs-related deaths in individuals with hypercholesterolemia of either sex.

Trial designs for statin muscle intolerance

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article aims to review the spectrum of statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), the consequences of downtitration of statin therapy on cardiovascular events, the published trials of nonstatin therapy in patients who report SAMS, and to provide a framework for future trials in SAMS patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

SAMS is reported in 10-25% of patients prescribed statin therapy; however, the few patients enrolled in randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials (RCTs) discontinue statin therapy due to adverse events. Several possible reasons for this discrepancy in clinical practice versus RCTs may results from patient selection in clinical trials that excludes patients with characteristics that increase the risk of SAMS, widespread use of higher intensity statins in low-risk populations that evaluated in nearly all RCTs, and perceptions concerning harm of statin therapy. Clinical trials of nonstatin therapy have shown that most patients tolerate statin therapy upon repeat challenge, and thus better tools are needed to more accurately identify SAMS patients and enroll these patients in RCTs of nonstatin therapy.

SUMMARY

Clinical trials in patients who report SAMS have shown better tolerability of certain classes of nonstatin therapy. Low rates of recurrent SAMS in double-blind rechallenge have led some to challenge the concept of statin muscle intolerance. However, patients with perceived SAMS downtitrate their statin therapy and suffer more cardiovascular events. A revised paradigm for evaluation of SAMS is proposed.

Effects of intensive pitavastatin therapy on glucose control in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of intensive pitavastatin therapy on glucose control in patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Patients who had ACS with significant stenosis on initial coronary angiography and received successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China from August 2015 to January 2016 were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomized to receive pitavastatin (4 mg daily) or atorvastatin (20 mg daily). PCI was performed within 72 hours after admission according to the current clinical practice at the physician's discretion. The examinations of blood lipid levels and blood markers of glucose metabolism were performed at baseline and after 6-month follow-up using standard techniques. The inflammatory markers, including white blood cell, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and fibrinogen, were also assessed before PCI and 24 hours after PCI. An independent adverse event assessment committee evaluated major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and any other adverse events. Results: A total of 132 patients were enrolled and randomly divided into the pitavastatin group (n = 65) or the atorvastatin group (n = 67), which had similar baseline characteristics and PCI procedural characteristics. For the inflammatory biomarkers at 24 hours after PCI, the fibrinogen level was significantly increased in the atorvastatin group; the hs-CRP levels were significantly increased in both groups, however, the hs-CRP level in the pitavastatin group was lower than that in the atorvastatin group. In addition, the blood lipid parameters (e.g., TC, LDL-C, TG, non-HDL-C and Apo B) were significantly decreased in both groups after 6-month follow-up (P < 0.01), but these parameters between the two groups had no significant difference. After 6-month follow-up, the FPG, IRI, HOMA-IR and HbA_1c levels were significantly decreased in the pitavastatin group (P < 0.05) but slightly increased in the atorvastatin group, indicating that the glucose homeostasis was improved in patients in the pitavastatin group but not in the atorvastatin group. Furthermore, the incidence of MACE was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). After 6-month antiplatelet treatment, the PAR value was significantly decreased in both groups (P < 0.01), but the PAR value in the pitavastatin group was lower than that in the atorvastatin group. Conclusion: Pitavastatin therapy may improve the glucose homeostasis for patients with ACS undergoing PCI and has more favorable outcomes than atorvastatin therapy.

THE IMPACT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS ON GLYCEMIC CONTROL: A REVIEW

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is steadily rising in the U.S., both in the general population and among those with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Understanding how to treat a patient with both conditions is becoming increasingly important. With multiple therapeutic options for CVD management, some medications will invariably impact glycemia in this group of patients. The concept of "DM-friendly" management of CVD is based on a treatment approach of selecting medications that do not impair glycemic control and provide equivalent cardioprotective effects. This article reviews the glycemic effects of various classes of medications commonly used to treat CVD.

METHODS

Data sources were all PubMed- and Google Scholar-referenced articles in English-language peer-reviewed journals from 1980 through April 2016. Studies selected could include observational studies or prospective clinical trials. Prospective clinical trials included in this review focused on investigating the association of the medication of interest with glycemic outcomes. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews were also included.

RESULTS

The data on glycemic effects were lacking for many of the medication classes and individual medications examined. However, in our review, certain beta-blockers and renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors, and select calcium channel blockers were consistently shown to have favorable glycometabolic profiles when compared with other commonly used cardiovascular therapies.

CONCLUSION

Several commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of CVD, such as certain beta-blockers and renin angiotensin aldosterone system inhibiting agents, are associated with favorable glycometabolic effects. As clinicians are more often faced with the challenge of treating patients with DM and concomitant CVD, consideration of how common cardiovascular medications may affect glycemia should be incorporated into the clinical decision making process.

ABBREVIATIONS

A1C = hemoglobin A1C ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme ARB = angiotensin II receptor blocker CCB = calcium channel blocker CI = confidence interval CVD = cardiovascular disease DM = diabetes mellitus MI = myocardial infarction RR = relative risk.

Co-treatment of Pitavastatin and Dexamethasone Exacerbates the High-fat Diet-induced Atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient Mice

Activation of macrophage adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4) induces development of atherosclerosis in animal models. We previously reported that statin inhibited while dexamethasone activated macrophage FABP4 expression. However, co-treatment of macrophages with statin and dexamethasone induced FABP4 expression in a synergistic manner, which implies that this co-treatment may exacerbate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis. In this study, we fed apoE-deficient (apoE) mice with HFD or HFD containing dexamethasone or pitavastatin or both for 16 weeks. Compared with HFD alone, pitavastatin or dexamethasone had little effect on lesions in both en face aortas and aortic root cross sections. However, the co-treatment exacerbated HFD-induced lesions. In addition, the co-treatment decreased collagen content and disturbed the integrity of lesion caps. Both serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were reduced by pitavastatin and increased by dexamethasone, respectively. However, the co-treatment had little effect on both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, indicating that the exacerbation of lesions is independent of total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol levels. FABP4 expression in aortic lesion area was significantly induced by the co-treatment, suggesting that activation of FABP4 expression is a main contributor to lesions. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that co-treatment of pitavastatin and dexamethasone exacerbates HFD-induced atherosclerosis and defines a potential risk to use the dual treatment for patients in clinics.

Modulation of microRNA Expression in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome and Decrease of Cholesterol Efflux from Macrophages via microRNA-33-Mediated Attenuation of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 Expression by Statins

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complicated health problem that encompasses a variety of metabolic disorders. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the major biochemical parameters associated with MetS and circulating levels of microRNA (miR)-33, miR-103, and miR-155. We found that miRNA-33 levels were positively correlated with levels of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol, but negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol levels. In the cellular study, miR-33 levels were increased in macrophages treated with high glucose and cholesterol-lowering drugs atorvastatin and pitavastatin. miR-33 has been reported to play an essential role in cholesterol homeostasis through ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) regulation and reverse cholesterol transport. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the linkage between miR-33 and statin treatment remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether atorvastatin and pitavastatin exert their functions through the modulation of miR-33 and ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from macrophages. The results showed that treatment of the statins up-regulated miR-33 expression, but down-regulated ABCA1 mRNA levels in RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages. Statin-mediated ABCA1 regulation occurs at the post-transcriptional level through targeting of the 3′-UTR of the ABCA1 transcript by miR-33. Additionally, we found significant down-regulation of ABCA1 protein expression in macrophages treated with statins. Finally, we showed that high glucose and statin treatment significantly suppressed cholesterol efflux from macrophages. These findings have highlighted the complexity of statins, which may exert detrimental effects on metabolic abnormalities through regulation of miR-33 target genes.

Pathogenesis and management of the diabetogenic effect of statins: a role for adiponectin and coenzyme Q10?

There is growing evidence to suggest that statin therapy is associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes. The risk for statin-related diabetes depends upon many factors including age, pre-existing diabetic risk, type and potency of statin. Several mechanisms have been suggested for the diabetogenic effects of statins involving processes that alter islet ß-cell function, resulting in impaired glucose metabolism. Recent evidence suggests that the association of statin therapy with the development of diabetes may be partly mediated by a statin-induced decrease in circulating adiponectin and coenzyme Q10. The available evidence suggests the benefit of statins in reducing cardiovascular events outweigh the risk of developing diabetes. Moreover, statin therapy does not impair glycemic control in diabetic patients. Expert recommendations for the use of statins in people at risk of developing diabetes have recently been published. However, further research is required to elucidate both the association between statin use and incident diabetes as well as underlying mechanisms.

Risk of diabetes in patients treated with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

OBJECTIVE

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are used to control blood cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular disease. It has been repeatedly reported that statins may cause new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM). However, limited evidence exists from direct head to head comparisons of statins on whether the risk of DM differs among statins. We investigated the risk of development of new-onset diabetes in subjects treated with different statins.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled consecutive 3680 patients without DM or impaired fasting glucose who started receiving statin treatment for cholesterol control. We evaluated the incidence of new-onset diabetes according to the type of statin.

RESULTS

The mean duration of follow-up was 62.6±15.3 months. The incidence of DM was significantly higher in the pitavastatin group (49 of 628; 7.8%) compared to that in the other statin groups [atorvastatin (68 of 1327; 5.1%), rosuvastatin (77 of 1191; 6.5%), simvastatin (11 of 326; 3.4%), and pravastatin (12 of 298; 5.8%); p=0.041]. The risk of diabetes was the highest in the pitavastatin group compared with that in the simvastatin group [hazard ratio (HR)=2.68, p=0.011]. Other statins showed no significant risk differences compared to that for simvastatin. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) level at baseline and body-mass index (BMI) were associated with the development of diabetes [FBG, HR=1.11, p<0.001; BMI, HR=1.02, p=0.005].

CONCLUSIONS

Among the five statins, pitavastatin showed the strongest effect on the development of new-onset diabetes.

[Statins diabetogenicity: are all the same? state of art]

Statins are the cornerstone of cardiovascular prevention for general population, and in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, statin therapy predisposes to type 2 diabetes, particularly in patients with predisposition to this condition. Some statins have been associated with increases in blood glucose in patients with or without DM2, and others have shown to have neutral effects, varying from one another their glucose or diabetogenic capacity. In many statin trials the incidence of DM2 has not been systematically evaluated and others the power to detect differences between statins is lacking. Evidence highest quality available comes from the meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials. The only controlled clinical trial to evaluate the incidence of new-onset T2DM is the J-PREDICT conducted with pitavastatin in patients with abnormal glucose tolerance. Preliminary results of this study show that pitavastatin is associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of de novo T2DM compared to only modification lifestyle. Therefore, pitavastatin may be an appropriate therapeutic alternative of choice to reduce vascular risk in patients with T2DM or at risk of presenting it.

Lack of pharmacokinetic interactions between pitavastatin and efavirenz or darunavir/ritonavir

BACKGROUND

The drug-drug interactions between pitavastatin and darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) as well as pitavastatin and efavirenz (EFV) were examined in an open-label, parallel-arm, pharmacokinetic (PK) study in HIV-uninfected healthy volunteers.

METHODS

Subjects received a pitavastatin dose of 2 mg for 4 days, followed by either EFV 600 mg (n = 14) or DRV/r 800/100 mg (n = 14) daily for 10 days, and pitavastatin 2 mg coadministered with EFV 600 mg or DRV/r 800/100 mg for 4 days. Full PK profiles were determined for pitavastatin and its lactone metabolite on days 4 and 18 and for EFV or DRV on days 14 and 18.

RESULTS

In the EFV arm, the geometric mean area under the concentration time curve (AUC0-τ) and Cmax of pitavastatin were 85.3 ng·h·mL and 15.6 ng/mL, respectively, when given alone, versus 76 ng·h·mL and 18.8 ng/mL when coadministered with EFV. The geometric mean ratio for pitavastatin with EFV versus alone was 0.89 [90% confidence interval (CI): 0.73 to 1.09] for AUC0-τ and 1.20 (90% CI: 0.79 to 1.83) for Cmax. In the DRV/r arm, AUC0-τ and Cmax were 62.8 ng·h·mL and 24.0 ng/mL, respectively, when pitavastatin was administered alone, versus 56.9 ng·h·mL and 23.2 ng/mL when coadministered with DRV/r. The geometric mean ratio for pitavastatin with DRV/r versus alone was 0.91 (90% CI: 0.78 to 1.06) for AUC0-τ and 0.93 (90% CI: 0.72 to 1.19) for Cmax.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant PK interactions between pitavastatin and EFV or DRV/r. No significant safety issues or lipid changes were noted.

Hypertriglyceridemia: a too long unfairly neglected major cardiovascular risk factor

The existence of an independent association between elevated triglyceride (TG) levels, cardiovascular (CV) risk and mortality has been largely controversial. The main difficulty in isolating the effect of hypertriglyceridemia on CV risk is the fact that elevated triglyceride levels are commonly associated with concomitant changes in high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and other lipoproteins. As a result of this problem and in disregard of the real biological role of TG, its significance as a plausible therapeutic target was unfoundedly underestimated for many years. However, taking epidemiological data together, both moderate and severe hypertriglyceridaemia are associated with a substantially increased long term total mortality and CV risk. Plasma TG levels partially reflect the concentration of the triglyceride-carrying lipoproteins (TRL): very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), chylomicrons and their remnants. Furthermore, hypertriglyceridemia commonly leads to reduction in HDL and increase in atherogenic small dense LDL levels. TG may also stimulate atherogenesis by mechanisms, such excessive free fatty acids (FFA) release, production of proinflammatory cytokines, fibrinogen, coagulation factors and impairment of fibrinolysis. Genetic studies strongly support hypertriglyceridemia and high concentrations of TRL as causal risk factors for CV disease. The most common forms of hypertriglyceridemia are related to overweight and sedentary life style, which in turn lead to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Intensive lifestyle therapy is the main initial treatment of hypertriglyceridemia. Statins are a cornerstone of the modern lipids-modifying therapy. If the primary goal is to lower TG levels, fibrates (bezafibrate and fenofibrate for monotherapy, and in combination with statin; gemfibrozil only for monotherapy) could be the preferable drugs. Also ezetimibe has mild positive effects in lowering TG. Initial experience with en ezetimibe/fibrates combination seems promising. The recently released IMPROVE-IT Trial is the first to prove that adding a non-statin drug (ezetimibe) to a statin lowers the risk of future CV events. In conclusion, the classical clinical paradigm of lipids-modifying treatment should be changed and high TG should be recognized as an important target for therapy in their own right. Hypertriglyceridemia should be treated.

Effects of pitavastatin versus atorvastatin on the peripheral endothelial progenitor cells and vascular endothelial growth factor in high-risk patients: a pilot prospective, double-blind, randomized study

BACKGROUND

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) reflect endothelial repair capacity and may be a significant marker for the clinical outcomes of cardiovascular disease. While some high-dose statin treatments may improve endothelial function, it is not known whether different statins may have similar effects on EPCs.This study aimed to investigate the potential class effects of different statin treatment including pitavastatin and atorvastatin on circulating EPCs in clinical setting.

METHODS

A pilot prospective, double-blind, randomized study was conducted to evaluate the ordinary dose of pitavastatin (2 mg daily) or atorvastatin (10 mg daily) treatment for 12 weeks on circulating EPCs in patients with cardiovascular risk such as hypercholesterolemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Additional in vitro study was conducted to clarify the direct effects of both statins on EPCs from the patients.

RESULTS

A total of 26 patients (19 with T2DM) completed the study. While the lipid-lowering effects were similar in both treatments, the counts of circulating CD34+KDR+EPCs were significantly increased (from 0.021 ± 0.015 to 0.054 ± 0.044% of gated mononuclear cells, P < 0.05) only by pitavastatin treatment. Besides, plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine level was reduced (from 0.68 ± 0.10 to 0.53 ± 0.12 μmol/L, P < 0.05) by atorvastatin, and plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level was increased (from 74.33 ± 32.26 to 98.65 ± 46.64 pg/mL, P < 0.05) by pitavastatin. In the in vitro study, while both statins increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression, only pitavastatin increased the phosphorylation of eNOS in EPCs. Pitavastatin but not atorvastatin ameliorated the adhesion ability of early EPCs and the migration and tube formation capacities of late EPCs.

CONCLUSIONS

While both statins similarly reduced plasma lipids, only pitavastatin increased plasma VEGF level and circulating EPCs in high-risk patients, which is probably related to the differential pleiotropic effects of different statins.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01386853.

Consumption of synbiotic bread decreases triacylglycerol and VLDL levels while increasing HDL levels in serum from patients with type-2 diabetes

To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the favorable effects of synbiotic bread consumption on blood lipid profiles among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the daily consumption of synbiotic bread on blood lipid profiles of patients with T2DM. This randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial was performed with 78 diabetic patients, aged 35-70 years. After a 2-week run-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to consume either synbiotic (n = 26), probiotic (n = 26) or control bread (n = 26) for 8 weeks. The synbiotic bread contained viable and heat-resistant probiotic Lactobacillus sporogenes (1 × 10(8) CFU) and 0.07 g inulin (HPX) as prebiotic per 1 g. The probiotic bread contained L. sporogenes (1 × 10(8) CFU) per 1 g. Patients were asked to consume the synbiotic, probiotic and control breads three times a day in a 40 g package for a total of 120 g/day. Biochemical measurements including blood lipid profiles were conducted before and after 8 weeks of intervention. Consumption of the synbiotic bread, compared to the probiotic and control breads, led to a significant decrease in serum TAG (P = 0.005), VLDL-C (P = 0.005), TC/HDL-C (P = 0.002) and a significant increase in serum HDL-C levels (P = 0.01). No significant effect of synbiotic bread consumption on FPG, TC, LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels was seen compared to the probiotic and control breads (P > 0.05). Trial registry code: http://www.irct.ir IRCT201311215623N13.