Evaluation of paraoxonase, arylesterase, and homocysteine thiolactonase activities in patients with diabetes and incipient diabetes nephropathy

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship among the changes in activities of paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase (ARE) and homocysteine thiolactonase (HTLase) enzyme having antioxidant properties and the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of the most common complications of diabetes

A multi-center, open label, crossover designed prospective study evaluating the effects of lipid lowering treatment on steroid synthesis in patients with Type 2 diabetes (MODEST Study)

Objective: It has been suggested that lipid-lowering treatment with the use of statins adversely affects the steroid hormones. However, the safety of lipid lowering treatment targeting very low levels of LDL with respect to the steroid hormones has not been established. Research design and methods: A prospective, randomized, multicenter trial was conducted involving 98 patients. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: group-I received 10 mg of atorvastatin plus 10 mg of ezetimibe and group-II 80 mg of atorvastatin for the first 3 months. After crossover, the first group received 80 mg of atorvastatin and the second group 10 mg of atorvastatin plus 10 mg of ezetimibe for the following 3 months. Cortisol, DHEAS, testosterone, and estradiol levels were measured at the enrollment and at the end of the 1(st), 2(nd), 3(rd), and 6(th) months. Results: Along with a decrease in LDL level, the levels of DHEAS, testosterone, and estradiol decreased in both groups (p<0.001). While cortisol levels were maintained in the group given 10 mg of atarvastatin plus 10 mg of ezetimibe, it decreased significantly after the crossover to 80 mg of atorvastatin (p<0.001). The group initially given 80 mg of atorvastatin measured a lower level of cortisol for the first 3 months and it returned to normal levels after switching to 10 mg of atorvastatin plus 10 mg of ezetimibe. Conclusion: Eighty milligrams of atorvastatin decreased all adrenal and gonadal steroids, where,is 10 mg of ezetimibe combined with 10 mg of atorvastatin had at least no impact on cortisol levels. (J. Endocrinol. Invest. 32: 852-856, 2009) (C)2009, Editrice Kurti