Relationship between insulin resistance and effect of atorvastatin in non-diabetic subjects

Background: Although insulin resistance (IR) is present in non-diabetic subjects, it is unknown whether IR affects statin treatment. We assessed the relationship between IR and the changes of lipid profile in patients with hyperlipidemia treated by atorvastatin. Methods: Forty-four non-diabetic patients were included. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. We used the value of 2.5 as the threshold for IR. Results: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol at baseline was lower and triglyceride (TG) at baseline was higher in the IR group than in the nonIR group (p < 0.05). Changes in all lipid measurements did not differ between the two groups. HOMA-IR was correlated with HDL cholesterol at baseline and at follow-up and correlated with TG at baseline and at follow-up (r= -0.40, r= -0.53, r= 0.38, r= 0.35, p < 0.01, respectively). However, HOMA-IR did not associate with changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and TG. Conclusion: The IR did not affect the degree of reduction in cholesterol by atorvastatin in non-diabetic subjects. The IR may influence hypertriglyceridemia greater than the effect of atorvastatin in non-diabetic subjects.