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Effects of atorvastatin and insulin in vascular dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes

C M Sena1, P Matafome, T Louro

  • 1Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. csena@ci.uc.pt.

Physiological Research
|January 9, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Combining atorvastatin and insulin improved metabolic control and endothelial dysfunction in diabetic rats. While insulin alone worsened endothelial function, atorvastatin showed benefits, with the combination therapy reducing inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation.
  • Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats fed an atherogenic diet (GKAD) serve as a model for type 2 diabetes with dyslipidemia and endothelial dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of atorvastatin and insulin, alone and in combination, on endothelial function, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic parameters in GKAD rats.
  • To evaluate the impact of these therapies on endothelium-dependent and independent vascular reactivity.

Main Methods:

  • GKAD rats were treated with atorvastatin, insulin, or a combination.
  • Assessed oxidative stress (lipid peroxides, oxidized proteins), inflammation (C-reactive protein - CRP), and vascular reactivity (acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside).
  • Measured fasting glycemia, lipid profiles, and insulin resistance indexes.

Main Results:

  • GKAD rats exhibited increased carbonyl stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and endothelial dysfunction compared to controls.
  • Insulin alone worsened endothelial dysfunction; atorvastatin improved it.
  • Combination therapy improved metabolic parameters, CRP levels, and insulin resistance, ameliorating endothelial dysfunction without reducing specific oxidative stress markers.

Conclusions:

  • Atorvastatin and insulin combination therapy offers metabolic benefits and reduces endothelial dysfunction in GKAD rats, primarily through improved systemic inflammation control.
  • Individual therapies have differential effects, with atorvastatin being beneficial for endothelial function and insulin potentially detrimental in this model.

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