Improvement of lipoprotein lipid composition in type II diabetic patients with concomitant hyperlipoproteinemia by acipimox treatment. Results of a multicenter trial.

OBJECTIVE

To study the tolerability and efficacy of acipimox on hyperlipidemia and diabetes compensation in patients with NIDDM under conditions of a routine clinical practice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We recruited 121 patients (60 men and 61 women) from 10 participating clinical centers. They were randomly divided into two groups and treated for 3 mo either with acipimox (250 mg three times a day) or placebo, using an open study design.

RESULTS

Acipimox treatment led to a significant drop in fasting serum total triglyceride levels (by 28%) after 1 mo of drug administration. This decrease prevailed up to the end of the 3-mo study. Serum total cholesterol levels declined by 14%, and high-density lipoprotein tended to rise in acipimox-treated patients. These changes in lipid metabolism were not accompanied by any adverse effects of acipimox on glucose metabolism as judged by HbA1c measurements and the oral glucose tolerance test. Eight patients (out of 82 treated with acipimox) reported moderate adverse events of transient character, such as skin reactions and gastric disturbances.

CONCLUSIONS

Acipimox seems to be a useful agent for treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia and does not deteriorate glycemic control.