Effects of ezetimibe on atherogenic lipoproteins and glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes and glucose intolerance.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of ezetimibe on atherogenic lipoproteins and glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes and glucose intolerance.

Methods: Seventy-six patients with diabetes and glucose intolerance were enrolled in this study. At baseline and 12 weeks after treatment with ezetimibe 10mg/day, we measured the levels of lipid and glucose parameters.

Results: Ezetimibe reduced the mean levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (-20%, P<0.001), remnant-like particle cholesterol (-22%, P<0.001), small dense-LDL (-19%, P<0.001), apolipoprotein B-48 (-2%, P<0.01), malondialdehyde modified-LDL (-15%, P<0.001), and serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) (-4%, P<0.01). In the insulin resistance subgroup, ezetimibe reduced the abdominal circumference (-1%, P<0.05) and mean levels of fasting plasma glucose (-7%, P<0.05), IRI (-36%, P<0.01), s-CPR (-27%, P<0.01), HOMA-IR (-39%, P<0.01) and HbA1c tended to decrease (-2%, P=0.06).

Conclusions: Ezetimibe reduced atherogenic lipoproteins in patients with diabetes and glucose intolerance; besides, it improved glucose metabolism in patients with insulin resistance.