Effects of ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy on adipokine production in patients with metabolic syndrome and stable vascular disease.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of ezetimibe to ongoing statin therapy in patients with atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome would favorably affect levels of inflammatory markers and adipokines. Individuals with the metabolic syndrome exhibit higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers and adipokines, which have been implicated in the pathobiology of cardiovascular risk. The impact of the addition of ezetimibe to statin therapy on these proinflammatory mediators is unclear.