To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: DG DISPATCH - ACC: Niacin Reduces Triglycerides, Increases Good Cholesterol In Diabetics URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1F575E.htm Doctor's Guide March 20, 2001
By Ed Susman Special to DG News
ORLANDO, FL -- March 20, 2001 -- Diabetic patients who take a daily, slow-release form of niacin (Niaspan) appear to increase their levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduce blood triglycerides.
The drug regimen, however, does not affect control of blood sugars, researchers reported here yesterday (March 19) at the 50th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
"There had been concern that niacin use in diabetic patients might increase blood sugar levels," said Gloria Vega, Ph.D., professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, "but we didn't see that in our study."
Dr. Vega and her colleagues, including Scott Grundy, MD, director of University of Texas Southwestern's Center of Human Nutrition, enrolled 148 patients in the 16-week study of how extended-release niacin would affect blood lipids in Type 2 diabetic mellitus patients. Patients were randomised to receive placebo, 1,000 mg of niacin or 1,500 mg of prescription niacin.
Patients taking the active agent increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 20 to 24 percent compared with a 4 percent increase among the placebo patients. At the same time, triglycerides were reduced 15 to 29 percent in the patients on niacin compared with a 5 percent reduction among patients taking placebo.
"This study convincingly demonstrates that not only is extended-release niacin a relatively safe drug for use in patients with diabetes at these doses, but such patients who have lower than average HDL levels should be considered candidates for this treatment," Dr. Vega said.
She said that there were no significant differences in key markers of glucose control-hemoglobin levels and fasting glucose levels. About half of the patients in the study were taking statin drugs-mainly atorvastatin, pravastatin and simvastatin-to control cholesterol levels, Dr. Vega said.
"Niacin is known to enhance the LDL [low-density lipoprotein]-lowering effect of statins," said Adolph Hutter, MD, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. "Adding niacin to the drug regimen of diabetes patients to increase HDL-cholesterol levels appears to make sense. The longer-acting form of niacin used in the study has fewer side effects-particularly flushing-than other niacin formulations."
"This study showed that low doses of niacin are an effective treatment in positively altering the lipid risk profile for patients with diabetes who have dyslipidemia, including those already on a statin, and that individuals with the disease who have lower than average HDL levels should be closely monitored and treated to help reduce their risk of heart disease," said Dr. Grundy, a co-author of the report presented at the ACC.
Although there are over-the-counter formulations of niacin on the market, Dr. Vega said patients should not take the medications without consulting their physician. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.