HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Prevent Bone Loss in Type 2 Diabetics

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HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Prevent Bone Loss in Type 2 Diabetics

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WESTPORT, Apr 11 (Reuters Health) - Treatment with a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl

coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors can increase bone mineral density in

patients with type 2 diabetes, according to findings published in the March

issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

The findings extend prior reports of a link between the drugs and bone mineral

density in mice, Dr. Lorraine A. Fitzpatrick, of the Mayo Clinic and Mayo

Foundation in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues say in the journal.

The investigators treated 36 of 69 type 2 diabetic patients with the HMG-CoA

reductase inhibitors lovastatin, pravastatin or simvastatin for

hypercholesterolemia. The remaining 33 patients " did not take HMG-CoA reductase

inhibitors and had normal cholesterol levels, " Dr. Fitzpatrick and colleagues

report.

After an average of 14 to 15 months, spinal bone mineral density decreased

significantly in patients not using HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, while bone

mineral density at the femoral neck increased significantly in those taking the

drugs.

Among men, but not women, bone mineral density at the femoral trochanter

increased significantly in patients taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors compared

with controls. In both men and women, bone mineral density of the femoral neck

increased significantly in treated patients relative to controls.

The findings demonstrate that the effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on bone

mineral density are " more prominent in male subjects compared with females, " the

authors say. " These difference may be due to physiologic differences of male and

female bone loss, " they note.

Dr. Fitzpatrick and colleagues point out that the new data corroborate the

results of prior in vitro studies that showed that " this class of medications

affect osteoclast apoptosis and decrease bone resorption. "

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000;85:1137-1142.