[Prodiabetic effect of statins--do we know the mechanisms of this phenomenon?]

Statins are drugs with the unquestionable effectiveness in the reduction of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the cardiovascular risk with the acceptable safety profile. On the basis of the above statins are the most common used drugs worldwide. The present review is aimed to discuss the potential mechanisms of statins leading to occurrence of glucose metabolism disturbances through the influence on insulin secretion by the beta-cells of pancreatic islets and the cells' sensitivity on insulin. It might be a results of disadvantageous statin properties connected to the intensification of inflammation and oxidation within the pancreatic islets, and the influence on adipokines secretion by the fat tissue cells. However, it should be emphasized that despite the recommendations of US Food and Drug Administration suggesting to keep caution in connection to potentially prodiabetic statins' properties, this data need to be confirmed in large multicenter clinical trials with properly designed main endpoints.