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Simvastatin increases bone mineral density in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women
Graziana Lupattelli1, Anna Maria Scarponi, Gaetano Vaudo
1Internal Medicine, Angiology and Atherosclerosis, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of, Perugia, Italy.
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
|May 28, 2004
Summary
Simvastatin treatment significantly increased bone mineral density (BMD) in hypercholesterolemic women over two years. This study suggests statins may have a beneficial effect on bone health beyond cholesterol reduction.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Statins primarily reduce cardiovascular events via cholesterol reduction.
- Emerging evidence suggests statins may influence bone mineral density (BMD) through ancillary mechanisms.
- Clinical trial results on statins and BMD have been inconsistent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of simvastatin on BMD in hypercholesterolemic women.
- To compare BMD changes in women treated with simvastatin versus diet alone.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year randomized controlled trial involving hypercholesterolemic women.
- Simvastatin (40 mg/d) treatment group (n=40) compared to a diet-only control group (n=20).
- BMD measurements at the lumbar spine and hip using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Main Results:
- Simvastatin treatment led to a significant increase in BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral hip.
- Spine BMD increased by 1.7% at 8 months and 3.3% at 24 months (P < .001).
- Femoral hip BMD increased by 1.6% at 8 months and 2.7% at 24 months (P < .001).
- The diet-only group showed a slight decrease in BMD at both sites.
Conclusions:
- Simvastatin treatment demonstrates a beneficial effect on bone mineral density.
- Findings support observational data suggesting a positive impact of statins on bone health.
- Simvastatin may offer advantages for bone health in hypercholesterolemic individuals.