Effect of atorvastatin on LDL oxidation and antioxidants in normocholesterolemic type 2 diabetic patients

Background: Oxidative stress in diabetes increases lipid peroxidation, which stimulates the development of atherosclerosis. Methods: We investigated in a 3-month placebo-controlled study with 19 normocholesterolemic type 2 diabetic patients whether treatment with 10-mg atorvastatin influenced antioxidants and reduced LDL oxidizability, assessed by in vitro production of conjugated dienes after copper-induced LDL oxidation, Results: The lag phase, as a measure of the resistance of LDL to oxidation, did not change (62.8 +/- 8.2 respectively 59.6 +/- 9.7 min. p = n.s.). while conjugated dienes decreased (512 +/- 74 respectively 487 +/- 50 nmol, p = 0.012). Plasma alpha -tocopherol and ubiquinol levels decreased, while their ratios to LDL cholesterol remained stable. Conclusions: Atorvastatin favourably influences some parameters of LDL oxidation. Whether this effect is clinically relevant remains to be determined. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.