Title of article :
The effects of different doses of atorvastatin on serum lipid profile, glycemic control, and liver enzymes in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular accident
Author/Authors :
Sadeghi، Roxana نويسنده , , Asadpour-Piranfar، Mohammad نويسنده Cardiovascular Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Asadollahi، Marjan نويسنده Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Taherkhani، Maryam نويسنده Cardiovascular Research Center, Modarres Hospital, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. , , Baseri، Fariba نويسنده Cardiovascular Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract :
BACKGROUND: Despite established effects of atorvastatin on level of serum lipid profile in
patients with different underlying clinical conditions, the effects of this drug on other serum
biomarkers remain uncertain. We examined the effects of atorvastatin therapy on lipid profile,
glycemic control, and liver enzymes in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular accident without
any history or clinical evidences of diabetes, heart failure, renal failure, or hepatic disease.
METHODS: In a randomized double-blinded controlled trial, 140 hospitalized patients with an
ischemic cerebrovascular accident were included and randomly assigned to receive either
atorvastatin 40 mg (n = 70) or atorvastatin 20 mg daily (n = 70) for 3 months. The levels of
biomarkers were measured at the time of administrating drugs as well as at the time of
completing the treatment.
RESULTS: A significant reduction was revealed in serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, lowdensity
lipoprotein, non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and also aspartate
aminotransferase levels as well as a significant increase in serum HDL level following
administration of atorvastatin in both case and control groups who received the atorvastatin 40
mg/day and 20 mg/day, respectively (all P < 0.050). Although a significant increase in fasting
blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c was observed in the case group received atorvastatin 40
mg/day (both P < 0.001), but this elevation was not occurred in another group treated with
lower dose of the drug (both P > 0.050).
CONCLUSION: Daily administration of 20 mg and 40 mg doses of atorvastatin for 3 months
provides improvement in serum lipid profiles; however, because of interfering effect of highdose
atorvastatin on glycemic control status, the use of the former dose may be preferred. This is
very important in these patients because the positive effects of high-dose atorvastatin in stroke
patients are not confirmed.
