Are adipocytes nutritive or attractive for lymphocytes?

Abstract

Evaluation of: Isley WL, Miles JM, Patterson BW, Harris WS: The effect of high-dose simvastatin in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. J. Lipid Res. 47, 193–200 (2006). Dyslipidemia, especially hypertriglyceridemia, is one of the features of Type 2 diabetes. The overflow of free fatty acids towards the liver causes an insulin-resistance towards regulation of very low-density lipoprotein production. This deregulation thereby adds to the overproduction of triglyceride (TG)-rich lipoproteins. In combination with a decreased clearance of the high plasma TG levels, low high-density lipoprotein levels occur. Since Type 2 diabetes is characterized by a high risk of cardiovascular disease, the use of statins in these patients would bring beneficial effects as both cholesterol and TG-lowering effects are described. The underlying mechanisms for the cholesterol-lowering effects of statins are very well known. Alternatively, the lowering of plasma TG levels is less well understood and may depend on the disorder leading to the high plasma TG levels. This evaluation will provide a discussion on the possible underlying mechanisms, possible side effects and potential for simvastatin therapy in diabetics.

Keywords:

• fatty acids
• insulin resistance
• lipid lowering
• lipoproteins
• statins