Targets of statin therapy: LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B in type 2 diabetes in the Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS)

Clin Chem. 2009 Mar;55(3):473-80. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2008.111401. Epub 2009 Jan 15.

Abstract

Background: LDL can vary considerably in its cholesterol content; thus, lowering LDL cholesterol (LDLC) as a goal of statin treatment implies the existence of considerable variation in the extent to which statin treatment removes circulating LDL particles. This consideration is particularly applicable in diabetes mellitus, in which LDL is frequently depleted of cholesterol.

Methods: Type 2 diabetes patients randomly allocated to 10 mg/day atorvastatin (n = 1154) or to placebo (n = 1196) for 1 year were studied to compare spontaneous and statin-induced apolipoprotein B (apo B) concentrations (a measure of LDL particle concentration) at LDLC and non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDLC) concentrations proposed as statin targets in type 2 diabetes.

Results: Patients treated with atorvastatin produced lower serum apo B concentrations at any given LDLC concentration than patients on placebo. An LDLC concentration of 1.8 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) during atorvastatin treatment was equivalent to a non-HDLC concentration of 2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) or an apo B concentration of 0.8 g/L. At the more conservative LDLC targets of 2.59 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) and 3.37 mmol/L (130 mg/dL) for non-HDLC, however, the apo B concentration exceeded the 0.9-g/L value anticipated in the recent Consensus Statement from the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology.

Conclusions: The apo B concentration provides a more consistent goal for statin treatment than the LDLC or non-HDLC concentration.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Apolipoproteins B / blood*
  • Atorvastatin
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / enzymology
  • Female
  • Heptanoic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / metabolism*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins B
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pyrroles
  • Atorvastatin
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases