Effects of Adding omega-3 Fatty Acids to Simvastatin on Lipids, Lipoprotein Size and Subspecies in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Hypertriglyceridemia.
10.4093/kdj.2009.33.6.494
- Author:
Won Jun KIM
1
;
Chang Beom LEE
;
Cheol Young PARK
;
Se Eun PARK
;
Eun Jung RHEE
;
Won Young LEE
;
Ki Won OH
;
Sung Woo PARK
;
Dae Jung KIM
;
Hae Jin KIM
;
Seung Jin HAN
;
Hong Keum CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. cydoctor@chol.com
- Publication Type:Multicenter Study ; Original Article ; Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
Fatty acids;
Hypertriglyceridemia;
Omega-3;
Simvastatin;
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- MeSH:
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2;
Fatty Acids;
Fatty Acids, Omega-3;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Hypertriglyceridemia;
Infarction;
Lipoproteins;
Particle Size;
Sample Size;
Secondary Prevention;
Simvastatin;
Triglycerides
- From:Korean Diabetes Journal
2009;33(6):494-502
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: omega-3 fatty acids are known to improve lipid profiles, the distribution of lipoprotein subclasses, and secondary prevention against post-myocardial infarction. Rare reports have emerged of synergistic results of omega-3 fatty acids with simvastatin in cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertriglyceridemia. The purpose of this study was to determine the combined relationship of omega-3 fatty acids plus simvastatin on lipid, lipoprotein size and the types of subspecies. METHODS: This randomized, multi-center, comparison study evaluated eight weeks of combination therapy (omega-3 fatty acids (Omacor) 4 g/day plus simvastatin 20 mg/day) or monotherapy (simvastatin 20 mg/day) for at least six weeks in 62 diabetic patients. Subjects with a triglyceride concentration of more than 200 mg/dL were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: No significant differences for omega-3 fatty acids + simvastatin versus simvastatin alone were observed for triglycerides (-22.7% vs. -14.3%, P = 0.292), HDL peak particle size (+2.8% vs. -0.4%, P = 0.076), LDL mean particle size (+0.4% vs -0.1%, P = 0.376) or LDL subspecies types, although the combination therapy showed a tendency toward lower triglycerides, larger HDL, and LDL particle sizes than did the monotherapy. There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to HDL-C, LDL-C, or HbA1c levels. There were no serious adverse events and no abnormalities in the laboratory values associated with this study. CONCLUSION: omega-3 fatty acids were a safeform of treatment in hypertriglyceridemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. But, regarding efficacy, a much larger sample size and longer-term follow-up may be needed to distinguish between the effects of combination therapy and monotherapy.
