Statins and treatment of diabetic hyperlipidemia

Type 2 diabetic patients show frequent lipid abnormalities characterized by increased triglyceride and decreased HDL-cholesterol levels, but also by qualitative and metabolic abnormalities of all lipoproteins (VLDL, IDL, LDL et HDL). Treatment of diabetic hyperlipidemia is important in order to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events, which is-high in type 2 diabetes. Treatment with statins is recommended when hypercholesterolemia is associated with diabetes. But the efficacy of statins in the treatment of the typical diabetic hyperlipidemia (hypertriglycerideumia, decreased HDL-cholesterol) remains to be demonstrated, since their effects on triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol is moderate. However, the new statins (cerivastatine, atorvastatine), which are more powerful to reduce hypertriglyceridemia could be useful for the treatment of diabetic hyperlipidemia. But, only on going clinical trials with statins in diabetic patients will be able to precise their possible efficacy on the prevention of cardiovascular disease.