Use of statins is associated with increased insulin resistance in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

This study was published in Diabetes Care 2012 Oct;35(10):2095-9

Study title and authors:
Statin intake is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity during cardiac surgery.

Sato H, Carvalho G, Sato T, Hatzakorzian R, Lattermann R, Codere-Maruyama T, Matsukawa T, Schricker T.
Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. hsatou@yamanashi.ac.jp

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22829524

 

This study investigated the association between preoperative statin therapy and insulin sensitivity during surgery in 120 nondiabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

 

Low insulin sensitivity (or increased insulin resistance) is a condition in which the cells of the body become resistant to the hormone insulin. Insulin resistance may be part of the metabolic syndrome, and it has been associated with higher risk of developing heart disease. Insulin resistance precedes the development of type two diabetes.

 

High blood sugar levels and a greater oscillation (greater variation) of blood sugar levels lead to damaged blood vessels and diabetes and may cause a multitude of complications such as: Kidney disease or kidney failure requiring dialysis, strokes, heart attacks, visual loss or blindness, immune system suppression with increased risk for infections, erectile dysfunction, nerve damage causing tingling, pain or decreased sensation in the feet, legs, and hands, and poor circulation to the legs and feet, with poor wound healing. In extreme cases, because of the poor wound healing, amputation is required.

 

The study found:

(a) Insulin sensitivity was ∼20% lower in those taking statins compared to those not taking statins.

(b) Blood sugar levels were 9% higher in those taking statins compared to those not taking statins.

(c) The oscillation of blood sugar levels was larger in those taking statins compared to those not taking statins. 

The study results show that preoperative use of statins is associated with increased insulin resistance in nondiabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.