Niacin plus Simvastatin Reduces Coronary Stenosis Progression Among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome Despite a Modest Increase in Insulin Resistance: A Subgroup Analysis of the HDL-Atherosclerosis Treatment Study (HATS)

摘要

Background Metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and diabetes are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Niacin is known to increase insulin resistance, and have adverse effects on blood glucose levels, but to have beneficial effects on plasma lipids and lipoproteins. We therefore aimed to determine whether intensive lipid therapy with a niacin-containing regimen would have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular disease, despite an expected increase in plasma glucose and insulin resistance in subjects with the metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance or abnormal fasting plasma glucose levels.