Comparison of the effects of short-term hypolipidaemic treatment on plasma adipokine levels in men and women with isolated hypercholesterolaemia

Introduction: Hypolipidaemic agents were found to affect plasma adipokine levels, but no previous study has investigated whether this effect is sex-dependent. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analysed 61 patients participating in our previous studies, who because of isolated hypercholesterolaemia were treated with simvastatin (40 mg daily), ezetimibe (10 mg daily) or simvastatin (40 mg daily) plus ezetimibe (10 mg daily). Plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), free fatty acids (FFA), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were assessed separately for men and women before and after 30 days of treatment. Results: At baseline, plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin were lower, while plasma levels of TNF-alpha were higher in men than in women. Administration of simvastatin and statin/ezetimibe combination for 30 days reduced plasma levels of hsCRP, FFA, leptin, visfatin, and TNF-alpha but increased plasma levels of adiponectin, while the effect of ezetimibe was much more limited. The effect of simvastatin and ezetimibe, administered alone or in combination, on plasma hsCRP, FFA, leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, and TNF-alpha did not differ between men and women. Irrespectively of sex, the changes in plasma adipokines and systemic-anti-inflammatory effects were more expressed in simvastatin-than in ezetimibe-treated patients and were strongest when both these agents were administered together. Conclusions: Our results show that sex differences do not determine the effect of hypolipidaemic agents on adipose tissue and low-grade inflammation.