Simvastatin (40 mg/day), Adiponectin Levels, and Insulin Sensitivity in Subjects With the Metabolic Syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by low-grade inflammation and confers an increased risk for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Statins reduce cardiovascular events in patients with the MS and have pleiotropic effects in addition to lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Because there is a paucity of data on the effect of statins on adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity in the MS, this study was conducted to test the effect of simvastatin (40 mg/day) compared with placebo on circulating adiponectin levels and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance in subjects with the MS in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Simvastatin therapy failed to affect circulating adiponectin levels or insulin sensitivity compared with placebo over 8 weeks. In conclusion, although simvastatin is anti-inflammatory, it failed to affect adiponectin levels or improve insulin sensitivity in subjects with the MS.