Effect of Simvastatin on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Evidence has long existed regarding the relationship between oxidative stress & diabetes . The present study was conducted to assess the effect of simvastatin on selected oxidative stress parameters in form of (reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation byproduct malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, glutathione –S- transferase (GST) activity & catalase (CAT) activity) & it is effect on lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) & very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in dyslipidaemic type 2 diabetic patients . Fifty six dyslipidaemic type 2 diabetic patients were included in this study . A full history was taken & general examination was performed . Those patients were taking glibenclamide (an oral hypoglycaemic drug) during the study as a treatment for their disease . The patients were followed up for 60 days & divided randomly into 2 groups . Group I (n = 31) : no drug was given & served as dyslipidaemic diabetic control . Group II (n = 25) : received simvastatin tablets 20 mg once daily at night . From those Fifty six patients included in this study, forty six patients reached the end of the study while ten patients withdrew (eight patients from Group I and two patients from Group II) . This is due to non compliance of the patients . Blood samples were drawn from the patients at the beginning & after 60 days of follow up between 8:30 & 10:30 am after at least 12-14 hours fast . Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, selected oxidative stress parameters (GSH, MDA levels, GST & CAT activities) were measured . Renal & hepatic functions were also assessed . This study revealed the following results : Simvastatin treatment increased serum GSH, reduced MDA levels significantly while did not significantly affect CAT & GST activity . In simvastatin treatment TC, TG, LDL & VLDL decreased significantly while HDL increased significantly . There were insignificant correlations between simvastatin induced changes in the oxidation markers & the observed changes of the lipid profile .