Effects of pravastatin on serum adiponectin levels in female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: Pravastatin has been reported to elevate circulating adiponectin levels in patients with various insulin resistant state, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and hypercholesterolemia. This study aimed to evaluate whether pravastatin increase serum total and high molecular weight adiponectin levels and improve insulin sensitivity in female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. Patients and design: This study was designed as a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, factorial randomized trial (placebo and pravastatin at 20 or 40 mg per day). A total of 73 female patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia were enrolled. Changes in total and high molecular weight (HMW) serum adiponectin levels, the ratio of HMW adiponectin to total adiponectin, insulin sensitivity measured by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and lipid profiles were evaluated after 16 weeks in each group. Results: Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly reduced after 16 weeks in the pravastatin 20 mg and 40 mg treatment groups compared with the placebo group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.004, respectively). However, there were no significant differences between the 20 mg and 40 mg pravastatin treatment groups in terms of total adiponectin and HMW adiponectin serum levels, as well as insulin sensitivity (P = 0.348 and P = 0.991). Conclusions: In female patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, 16 weeks pravastatin therapy did not affect on serum total adiponectin or HMW adiponectin levels.