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Original Article
Others Effect of Atorvastatin on Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia
Ji Min Kim1,2, Min Kyung Back2, Hyon-Seung Yi1,2, Kyong Hye Joung1,2, Hyun Jin Kim1,2orcid, Bon Jeong Ku1,2orcid
Diabetes & Metabolism Journal 2016;40(1):70-78.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2016.40.1.70
Published online: February 19, 2016
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1Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

2Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.

corresp_icon Corresponding author: Bon Jeong Ku. Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 282 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 35015, Korea. bonjeong@cnu.ac.kr
corresp_icon Corresponding author: Hyun Jin Kim. Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, 282 Munhwa-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 35015, Korea. kimhj43@cnuh.co.kr
• Received: May 11, 2015   • Accepted: August 5, 2015

Copyright © 2016 Korean Diabetes Association

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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  • Background
    Elevated serum levels of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) are associated with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the effects of atorvastatin on metabolic parameters and GDF-15 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia were evaluated.
  • Methods
    In this prospective randomized trial from February 2013 to March 2014, 50 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients with a low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels ≥100 mg/dL were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups based on the amount of atorvastatin prescribed, 10 mg/day (n=23) or 40 mg/day (n=27). The effect of atorvastatin on metabolic parameters, including lipid profiles and GDF-15 levels, at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment were compared.
  • Results
    The baseline metabolic parameters and GDF-15 levels were not significantly different between the two groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, the total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased in both groups. The mean changes in TC and LDL-C levels were more significant in the 40 mg atorvastatin group. The GDF-15 level was decreased in the 10 mg atorvastatin group, from 1,460.6±874.8 to 1,451.0±770.8 pg/mL, and was increased in the 40 mg atorvastatin group, from 1,271.6±801.0 to 1,341.4±855.2 pg/mL. However, the change in the GDF-15 level was not statistically significant in the 10 or 40 mg atorvastatin group (P=0.665 and P=0.745, respectively).
  • Conclusion
    The GDF-15 levels were not significantly changed after an 8-week treatment with atorvastatin in type 2 diabetic patients.
Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), also known as macrophage inhibiting cytokine-1 and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene-1 [1], is synthesized as a propeptide and undergoes cleavage of its N-terminus to generate an active 25-kD disulfide-linked dimeric active protein. Normally, GDF-15 is highly expressed in the prostate and placenta, as well as in the heart, pancreas, liver, kidney, and colon [23]. GDF-15 is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily and is rapidly expressed in response to cytokines and growth factors, such as interleukin 1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), angiotensin II, macrophage colony stimulating factor, and TGF-β [24]. High levels of GDF-15 are associated with both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality [5]. GDF-15 levels are independently positively correlated with smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, renal dysfunction and markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP). High GDF-15 levels are also a strong predictor of overall mortality in healthy subjects without previous cardiovascular disease or cancer [6].
Statins not only lower blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase but also have anti-inflammatory effects. As a modulator of several inflammatory mechanisms [7], statins can improve cardiac outcomes [8910]. In the pravastatin inflammation/CRP evaluation (PRINCE) trial, the serum CRP level was significantly decreased independent of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) changes after treatment with pravastatin (40 mg/day for 24 weeks) in patients with coronary artery disease [11]. In another trial, statin treatment reduced inflammation-associated markers, such as CRP, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in hypercholesterolemic patients [1213].
The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and associated complications is well established [14]. Recent studies regarding the treatment of type 2 diabetes focused on delaying disease progression using anti-inflammatory drugs and not only on lowering glucose [15]. Recently, several studies showed GDF-15 to be a stress-responsive cytokine that is increased in obesity, prediabetes and type 2 diabetic patients [16171819] and is a predictive and prognostic factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes [2021]. However, reports regarding the effect of statins on GDF-15 levels are lacking, although statins are commonly prescribed to patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Statins decrease the level of LDL-C and the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study was performed to verify the effectiveness of GDF-15 as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular disease in diabetes and as a diagnostic marker of diabetes and cardiovascular disease by observing the change in GDF-15 levels as LDL-C levels decrease in response to statin therapy.
Study design
Fifty-nine type 2 diabetic patients with LDL-C levels ≥100 mg/dL that visited the Endocrinology Department of Chungnam National University Hospital from February 2013 to March 2014 were enrolled in this study. Exclusion criteria were a history of lipid lowering medication within 4 weeks (including the screening period), hypersensitivity or resistance to atorvastatin, elevated aspartate transaminase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT; more than two times the normal highest value), elevated creatinine (Cr ≥1.5 mg/dL), elevated creatine kinase (more than two times the normal highest value). Patients with acute infectious disease and a history of acute myocardial infarctions within 6 months were also excluded.
Of the 59 participants, 50 were included in the final analysis and 9 were excluded due to the cancellation of acceptance (n=3), screening failure (n=3), or poor compliance (n=3). The patients were randomly divided into two groups based on the amount of atorvastatin prescribed as the 10 mg/day (n=23) and 40 mg/day atorvastatin groups (n=27). Plasma samples were obtained from all patients for the measurement of biochemical markers at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment (Fig. 1). Side effects due to atorvastatin were not observed during the study.
Biochemical data
The blood samples were collected using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tubes in the morning after an overnight fast of more than 8 hours, and the lipid profiles (high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], LDL-C, total cholesterol [TC], and triglycerides [TGs]) were measured using a blood chemistry analyzer (Hitachi 747; Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan). CRP was measured using the photometric latex agglutination method (TBA-2000FR; Toshiba, Tokyo, Japan). Insulin was quantified using an immunoradiometric assay kit (DIAsource INS-IRMA Kit; DIAsource, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium). Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (BioRad, Hercules, CA, USA). Homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated as the fasting serum insulin (µU/mL)×fasting plasma glucose (mmol/L)/22.5. The fasting serum GDF-15 level was measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; R&D systems, Minneapolis, MN, USA; and Quantikine ELISA, Human GDF-15, catalog number: DGD150).
Statistical analyses
All parameter values were calculated as the mean±standard deviations. A P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the clinical characteristics and biochemical data between the two groups. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the biochemical data at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. The difference in biochemical data was compared before and after 8 weeks of treatment using the Mann-Whitney U test. To analyze the strength of the relationship between the differences in GDF-15 and biochemical data, Pearson correlation coefficients were used. Differences in the evaluated variables between the responder group (GDF-15 decreased after treatment) and nonresponder group (GDF-15 not decreased after treatment) were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 18.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
The clinical characteristics of the study population are shown in Table 1. The mean age was not significantly different between the 10 mg atorvastatin (56.0±11.4 years) and 40 mg atorvastatin groups (55.2±13.3 years). Other variables, including gender, weight, height, blood pressure, and pulse rate were not significantly different between the two groups (Table 1).
Multiple variables were compared between the two groups at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. The TC, LDL-C, and TGs were significantly decreased in both groups after 8 weeks of treatment. However, the changes in creatine phosphokinase, ALT, AST, insulin, C-peptide, HbA1c, glucose, HDL-C, and HOMA-IR index were not significant. Among the 50 participants, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured in 31 subjects (16 in the 10 mg atorvastatin group and 15 in the 40 mg atorvastatin group). A significant reduction in hsCRP was found in the 10 mg atorvastatin group (P=0.020) and 40 mg atorvastatin group (P=0.018). However, GDF-15 was not significantly changed in either group (Table 2).
Comparison of the two groups showed that none of the variables were significantly different compared to the baseline levels, except LDL-C (82.7±18.8 mg/dL vs. 68.0±22.7 mg/dL, P=0.006) and TC (148.2±24.1 mg/dL vs. 132.3±26.2 mg/dL, P=0.023), which were lower in the 40 mg group than the 10 mg atorvastatin group after treatment. Other variables were not significantly different between the two groups after treatment (Table 3).
After analyzing the changes in numerous clinical parameters for each group, the differences in TC (P=0.012) and LDL-C (P=0.019) were significantly greater in the 40 mg atorvastatin group. The degree of difference for all other factors was not significantly different (Table 4).
The extent of change in the GDF-15 levels and other diverse clinical factors after treatment was not statistically significantly correlated (Table 5).
Cases with reduced GDF-15 levels after treatment were classified as 'responders' and those without reduced levels as 'non-responders,' and the clinical characteristics were then analyzed in each group. The responder group had more patients with hypertension (P=0.026), whereas the other factors were not significant (Table 6).
This study investigated the effect of treatment with atorvastatin on metabolic parameters and GDF-15 levels in type 2 diabetic patients. After treatment with atorvastatin, the levels of TC, LDL-C, and TGs were reduced, with greater reductions in the 40 mg compared to the 10 mg atorvastatin group, as expected. Additionally, hsCRP was reduced after treatment with atorvastatin; however, GDF-15 was not significantly changed in either group.
Comparison of the responder group, which showed decreased GDF-15 levels after statin therapy, and the non-responder group, which showed no decreased GDF-15, indicated that hypertension was only the significant common factor in the responder group. Other factors showed no significant difference between the two groups. In general, the GDF-15 level is increased in patients with hypertension, and Xu et al. [22] reported a positive correlation between GDF-15 and left ventricular hypertrophy, norepinephrine, and brain natriuretic peptide levels. Chen et al. [23] reported that the GDF-15 level was elevated in heart tissue based on a mouse model study of myocardial infarction after olmesartan treatment. In this study, there were 16 patients with hypertension, and 13 of 16 were treated with angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. These treatments may influence the baseline GDF-15 levels; however, because the type or dosage of these medications was not changed during the study, the effect was predicted to be insignificant.
The expression of GDF-15 is increased by high glucose or obesity [116172425], and high glucose induced GDF-15 expression is reactive oxygen species (ROS)- and p53-dependent [1]. High levels of GDF-15 indicate endothelial dysfunction and increase the risk of metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, vascular injury and accompanying cardiovascular complications [17]. Additionally, recent studies found that GDF-15 is a useful marker for the diagnosis of chronic inflammatory diseases, including prediabetes, diabetes, and acute coronary syndrome, cancer, chronic kidney diseases associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and endothelial dysfunction [262728293031]. However, reports on drugs affecting GDF-15 expression other than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which increase GDF-15 expression, are lacking [32]. Several studies analyzed the correlation between statins and GDF-15; however, the results were inconsistent. The pravastatin or atorvastatin evaluation and infection therapy-thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (PROVE-IT-TIMI) trial compared the mortality rates between intensive versus moderate statin therapy groups in acute coronary syndrome patients, and no significant change in GDF-15 after treatment with statins for 4 months was observed, which is consistent with our study results [33]. Conversely, another study evaluating the efficacy of GDF-15 for screening patients with heart failure showed that GDF-15 was lower in patients treated with statins due to a reduction in vascular inflammation but did not show changes of GDF-15 according to treatment with a statin [34].
Statins effectively modulate oxidative stress by reducing the generation of ROS [3536]. In an animal allograft model of atherosclerosis, statins inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the arterial wall by reducing the expression of chemokines, such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [37]. Because oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines induce the expression of GDF-15 in macrophages, the authors hypothesized a negative correlation between statins and GDF-15 expression. However, in previous studies and our study, statin treatment did not affect GDF-15 levels. The short-term 4-month treatment period in our study and other previous studies, or the insufficient amount of atorvastatin (10 and 40 mg) may not cause any significant correlation between the two factors. In an apolipoprotein E-deficient mouse model, 10 g/kg/day atorvastatin significantly reduced macrophage infiltration in atherosclerotic plaques and the number of vulnerable plaques independently of a reduction in TC levels, and this treatment reduced chemokines and inflammatory markers, such as CRP and TNF-α [38]. Based on our study results, the dose of statins used was possibly insufficient, and further studies on the effect of high-dose statins on GDF-15 levels are needed. In another study, the effect of lowering the acute coronary event risk using statins was only significant in patients with low LDL-C levels [12]. However, because our study included patients with LDL-C over 100 mg/dL, these factors may have affected the results.
This study had several limitations, including insufficient dosage, duration of statin treatment and a small patient cohort. Although selection bias may have occurred due to a small study population, such bias was minimized through randomized control. Further studies are necessary to overcome such drawbacks.
In summary, treatment with 10 and 40 mg atorvastatin for 8 weeks reduced TC, LDL-C, and TG levels due to its lipid lowering effects and may affect inflammatory modulation by lowering hsCRP. However, atorvastatin had no significant effect on GDF-15 levels. Based on these results, we expect GDF-15 to be useful for the diagnosis of diabetes and acute coronary syndrome even when the patient is administered standard doses of statins.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by a grant (HJK, 2010) from the Korean Diabetes Association.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

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Fig. 1

Flow diagram of the study patients. LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; F/U, follow-up; Premed, before medication; Postmed, after medication.

dmj-40-70-g001.jpg
Table 1

General characteristics of the study subjects

dmj-40-70-i001.jpg
Characteristic Atorvastatin 10 mg (n=23) Atorvastatin 40 mg (n=27) P value
Sex, male:female 16:7 13:14 0.126a
Age, yr 56.0±11.4 55.2±13.3 0.825b
Smokers, n 6 4 0.480a
SBP, mm Hg 129.4±12.3 130.7±12.1 0.708b
DBP, mm Hg 74.0±9.0 76.0±11.0 0.484b
Pulse rate, beat/min 79.4±12.5 81.6±9.4 0.486b
HTN medication, n 5 11 0.225a
Diagnosis, yr 4.4±5.8 5.7±6.4 0.461b
Height, cm 163.7±9.9 160.9±9.8 0.320b
Weight, kg 67.6±13.8 68.2±16.7 0.889b
BMI, kg/m2 25.0±3.1 26.1 ± 4.6 0.326b

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; HTN, hypertension; BMI, body mass index.

aP value determined using an independent chi-square test, bP value determined by Mann-Whitney U test.

Table 2

Comparison of various clinical factors before and after treatment

dmj-40-70-i002.jpg
Variable Atorvastatin 10 mg (n=23) Atorvastatin 40 mg (n=27)
Before After P valuea Before After P valuea
CPK, U/L 113.8±94.0 131.9±136.0 0.459 104.0±43.7 96.5±46.4 0.306
AST, IU/L 22.7±16.0 24.2±14.9 0.190 21.4±9.3 21.8±8.4 0.647
ALT, IU/L 25.9±19.9 26.8±16.6 0.312 27.0±17.0 27.4±14.8 0.484
Insulin, µIU/mL 13.6±11.5 10.8±8.3 0.171 21.6±45.6 14.3±15.3 0.377
C-peptide, pmol/mL 1.1±0.7 0.9±0.5 0.322 1.2±1.1 1.0±0.6 0.201
HbA1c, % 7.6±1.6 7.3±1.2 0.235 7.3±1.8 7.2±1.4 0.562
Glucose, mg/dL 158.9±53.0 154.2±62.0 0.110 167.9±75.0 144.0±49.0 0.053
TC, mg/dL 209.1±30.0 148.2±24.1 <0.001 211.0±22.8 132.3±26.2 <0.001
LDL-C, mg/dL 138.6±23.9 82.7±18.8 <0.001 139.5±24.2 68.0±22.7 <0.001
HDL-C, mg/dL 48.7±12.3 47.3±10.7 0.551 46.7±10.6 47.6±11.8 0.977
TG, mg/dL 181.3±93.1 133.7±75.9 0.012 191.3±117.4 129.8±62.6 0.001
GDF-15, pg/mL 1,460.6±874.8 1,451.0±770.8 0.745 1,271.6±801.0 1,341.4±855.2 0.665
HOMA-IR 5.1±4.0 4.2±4.8 0.463 6.5±9.6 4.9±4.7 0.253
hsCRP, mg/dL 2.6±2.7 1.3±1.1 0.020 2.3±2.6 1.0±0.7 0.018

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

aP value determined using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Table 3

Comparison of various clinical factors between the 10 and 40 mg groups before and after treatment

dmj-40-70-i003.jpg
Factor Before After
10 mg 40 mg P valuea 10 mg 40 mg P valuea
CPK, U/L 113.8±94.0 104.0±43.7 0.765 131.9±136.0 96.5±46.4 0.368
AST, IU/L 22.7±16.0 21.4±9.3 0.632 24.2±14.9 21.8±8.4 0.984
ALT, IU/L 25.9±19.9 27.0±17.0 0.447 26.8±16.6 27.4±14.8 0.572
Insulin, µIU/mL 13.6±11.5 21.6±45.6 0.624 10.8±8.3 14.3±15.3 0.408
C-peptide, pmol/mL 1.1±0.7 1.2±1.1 0.794 0.9±0.5 1.0±0.6 0.763
HbA1c, % 7.6±1.6 7.3±1.8 0.267 7.3±1.2 7.2±1.4 0.606
Glucose, mg/dL 158.9±53.0 167.9±75.0 0.640 154.2±62.0 144.0±49.0 0.540
TC, mg/dL 209.1±30.0 211.0±22.8 0.654 148.2±24.1 132.3±26.2 0.023
LDL-C, mg/dL 138.6±23.9 139.5±24.2 0.992 82.7±18.8 68.0±22.7 0.006
HDL-C, mg/dL 48.7±12.3 46.7±10.6 0.559 47.3±10.7 47.6±11.8 0.907
TG, mg/dL 181.3±93.1 191.3±117.4 0.968 133.7±75.9 129.8±62.6 0.876
GDF-15, pg/mL 1,460.6±874.8 1,271.6±801.0 0.280 1,451.0±770.8 1,341.4±855.2 0.376
HOMA-IR 5.1±4.0 6.5±9.6 0.984 4.2±4.8 4.9±4.7 0.355
hsCRP, mg/dL 2.6±2.7 2.3±2.6 0.486 1.3±1.1 1.0±0.7 0.989

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

aP value determined using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Table 4

Comparison of differences among various clinical factors between the 10 and 40 mg groups

dmj-40-70-i004.jpg
Factor Difference in 10 mg group Difference in 40 mg group P valuea
CPK, U/L 24.6±146.2 -9.1±48.3 0.359
AST, IU/L 1.4±5.2 0.3±10.0 0.622
ALT, IU/L 0.9±8.2 0.4±19.4 0.901
Insulin, µIU/mL -2.8±11.4 -7.3±41.2 0.599
C-peptide, pmol/mL -0.2±0.5 -0.2±0.9 0.818
HbA1c, % -0.3±1.1 -0.1±1.1 0.524
Glucose, mg/dL -4.7±90.4 -23.9±61.4 0.393
TC, mg/dL -60.9±21.6 -78.7±26.3 0.012
LDL-C, mg/dL -55.9±20.8 -71.5±24.7 0.019
HDL-C, mg/dL -1.4±7.9 0.7±7.5 0.351
TG, mg/dL -47.6±76.4 -54.4±107.8 0.794
GDF-15, pg/mL -9.5±398.7 69.7±480.0 0.527
HOMA-IR -0.9±6.0 -1.5±6.7 0.738
hsCRP, mg/dL -1.3±2.5 -1.3±2.4 0.979

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

aP value determined using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Table 5

Pearson's correlation coefficient between the differences in GDF-15 levels and the differences in various variables

dmj-40-70-i005.jpg
Variable Difference in GDF-15 P value
CPK (difference), U/L -0.006 0.971
AST (difference), IU/L -0.090 0.536
ALT (difference), IU/L -0.074 0.608
Insulin (difference), µIU/mL 0.196 0.314
C-peptide (difference), pmol/mL 0.232 0.109
HbA1c (difference), % 0.196 0.173
Glucose (difference), mg/dL 0.053 0.716
TC (difference), mg/dL -0.062 0.671
LDL-C (difference), mg/dL -0.036 0.806
HDL-C (difference), mg/dL -0.124 0.396
TG (difference), mg/dL -0.042 0.773
HOMA-IR (difference) 0.097 0.505
hsCRP (difference), mg/dL 0.016 0.504

All clinical factors are differences of the mean. Difference: after medication–before medication.

GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Table 6

Comparison of various clinical factors between GDF-15 responders and non-responders

dmj-40-70-i006.jpg
Factor Responders (n=26) Non-responders (n=24) P valuea
Sex, male:female 16:10 13:11 0.405
Age, yr 54.7±12.0 56.5±12.9 0.604
Smokers, n 5 5 0.582
SBP, mm Hg 131.2±12.4 129.0±11.9 0.542
DBP, mm Hg 76.7±9.4 73.2±10.4 0.217
Pulse rate, beat/min 81.3±10.2 79.9±11.8 0.658
HTN medication, n 12 4 0.026
Atorvastatin (10 mg/40 mg), n 12/14 11/13 0.603
Diagnosis, yr 4.9±5.3 5.3±6.9 0.818
Height, cm 164.0±10.2 160.1±9.2 0.162
Weight, kg 71.0±17.7 64.6±11.6 0.130
BMI, kg/m2 26.1±4.8 25.0±2.8 0.318
CPK (difference), U/L 33.2±143.5 -18.5±36.4 0.143
AST (difference), IU/L 2.1±6.4 -0.5±9.6 0.261
ALT (difference), IU/L 3.1±11.8 -2.1±18.0 0.239
Insulin (difference), µIU/mL -10.6±42.4 0.5±6.2 0.210
C-peptide (difference), pmol/mL -0.4±0.9 0.0±0.4 0.061
HbA1c (difference), % -0.3±1.0 -0.1±1.3 0.592
Glucose (difference), mg/dL -21.7±68.9 -7.9±83.8 0.528
TC (difference), mg/dL -91.7±25.1 -69.3±26.7 0.745
LDL-C (difference), mg/dL -65.8±25.0 -62.7±23.5 0.654
HDL-C (difference), mg/dL 1.2±8.4 -1.9±6.8 0.169
TG (difference), mg/dL -52.7±106.0 -49.8±80.8 0.912
GDF-15 (difference), pg/mL -219.9±319.3 307.6±392.5 <0.001
HOMA-IR (difference) -1.8±8.0 -0.7±3.9 0.556
hsCRP (difference), mg/dL -1.6±3.3 -1.0±1.0 0.356

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation. Responders: GDF-15 decreased after treatment. Non-responders: GDF-15 not decreased after treatment.

GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; HTN, hypertension; BMI, body mass index; CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

aP value determined using the Mann-Whitney U test.

Figure & Data

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      Effect of Atorvastatin on Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia
      Diabetes Metab J. 2016;40(1):70-78.   Published online February 19, 2016
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    Effect of Atorvastatin on Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia
    Image
    Fig. 1 Flow diagram of the study patients. LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; F/U, follow-up; Premed, before medication; Postmed, after medication.
    Effect of Atorvastatin on Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia
    CharacteristicAtorvastatin 10 mg (n=23)Atorvastatin 40 mg (n=27)P value
    Sex, male:female16:713:140.126a
    Age, yr56.0±11.455.2±13.30.825b
    Smokers, n640.480a
    SBP, mm Hg129.4±12.3130.7±12.10.708b
    DBP, mm Hg74.0±9.076.0±11.00.484b
    Pulse rate, beat/min79.4±12.581.6±9.40.486b
    HTN medication, n5110.225a
    Diagnosis, yr4.4±5.85.7±6.40.461b
    Height, cm163.7±9.9160.9±9.80.320b
    Weight, kg67.6±13.868.2±16.70.889b
    BMI, kg/m225.0±3.126.1 ± 4.60.326b
    VariableAtorvastatin 10 mg (n=23)Atorvastatin 40 mg (n=27)
    BeforeAfterP valueaBeforeAfterP valuea
    CPK, U/L113.8±94.0131.9±136.00.459104.0±43.796.5±46.40.306
    AST, IU/L22.7±16.024.2±14.90.19021.4±9.321.8±8.40.647
    ALT, IU/L25.9±19.926.8±16.60.31227.0±17.027.4±14.80.484
    Insulin, µIU/mL13.6±11.510.8±8.30.17121.6±45.614.3±15.30.377
    C-peptide, pmol/mL1.1±0.70.9±0.50.3221.2±1.11.0±0.60.201
    HbA1c, %7.6±1.67.3±1.20.2357.3±1.87.2±1.40.562
    Glucose, mg/dL158.9±53.0154.2±62.00.110167.9±75.0144.0±49.00.053
    TC, mg/dL209.1±30.0148.2±24.1<0.001211.0±22.8132.3±26.2<0.001
    LDL-C, mg/dL138.6±23.982.7±18.8<0.001139.5±24.268.0±22.7<0.001
    HDL-C, mg/dL48.7±12.347.3±10.70.55146.7±10.647.6±11.80.977
    TG, mg/dL181.3±93.1133.7±75.90.012191.3±117.4129.8±62.60.001
    GDF-15, pg/mL1,460.6±874.81,451.0±770.80.7451,271.6±801.01,341.4±855.20.665
    HOMA-IR5.1±4.04.2±4.80.4636.5±9.64.9±4.70.253
    hsCRP, mg/dL2.6±2.71.3±1.10.0202.3±2.61.0±0.70.018
    FactorBeforeAfter
    10 mg40 mgP valuea10 mg40 mgP valuea
    CPK, U/L113.8±94.0104.0±43.70.765131.9±136.096.5±46.40.368
    AST, IU/L22.7±16.021.4±9.30.63224.2±14.921.8±8.40.984
    ALT, IU/L25.9±19.927.0±17.00.44726.8±16.627.4±14.80.572
    Insulin, µIU/mL13.6±11.521.6±45.60.62410.8±8.314.3±15.30.408
    C-peptide, pmol/mL1.1±0.71.2±1.10.7940.9±0.51.0±0.60.763
    HbA1c, %7.6±1.67.3±1.80.2677.3±1.27.2±1.40.606
    Glucose, mg/dL158.9±53.0167.9±75.00.640154.2±62.0144.0±49.00.540
    TC, mg/dL209.1±30.0211.0±22.80.654148.2±24.1132.3±26.20.023
    LDL-C, mg/dL138.6±23.9139.5±24.20.99282.7±18.868.0±22.70.006
    HDL-C, mg/dL48.7±12.346.7±10.60.55947.3±10.747.6±11.80.907
    TG, mg/dL181.3±93.1191.3±117.40.968133.7±75.9129.8±62.60.876
    GDF-15, pg/mL1,460.6±874.81,271.6±801.00.2801,451.0±770.81,341.4±855.20.376
    HOMA-IR5.1±4.06.5±9.60.9844.2±4.84.9±4.70.355
    hsCRP, mg/dL2.6±2.72.3±2.60.4861.3±1.11.0±0.70.989
    FactorDifference in 10 mg groupDifference in 40 mg groupP valuea
    CPK, U/L24.6±146.2-9.1±48.30.359
    AST, IU/L1.4±5.20.3±10.00.622
    ALT, IU/L0.9±8.20.4±19.40.901
    Insulin, µIU/mL-2.8±11.4-7.3±41.20.599
    C-peptide, pmol/mL-0.2±0.5-0.2±0.90.818
    HbA1c, %-0.3±1.1-0.1±1.10.524
    Glucose, mg/dL-4.7±90.4-23.9±61.40.393
    TC, mg/dL-60.9±21.6-78.7±26.30.012
    LDL-C, mg/dL-55.9±20.8-71.5±24.70.019
    HDL-C, mg/dL-1.4±7.90.7±7.50.351
    TG, mg/dL-47.6±76.4-54.4±107.80.794
    GDF-15, pg/mL-9.5±398.769.7±480.00.527
    HOMA-IR-0.9±6.0-1.5±6.70.738
    hsCRP, mg/dL-1.3±2.5-1.3±2.40.979
    VariableDifference in GDF-15P value
    CPK (difference), U/L-0.0060.971
    AST (difference), IU/L-0.0900.536
    ALT (difference), IU/L-0.0740.608
    Insulin (difference), µIU/mL0.1960.314
    C-peptide (difference), pmol/mL0.2320.109
    HbA1c (difference), %0.1960.173
    Glucose (difference), mg/dL0.0530.716
    TC (difference), mg/dL-0.0620.671
    LDL-C (difference), mg/dL-0.0360.806
    HDL-C (difference), mg/dL-0.1240.396
    TG (difference), mg/dL-0.0420.773
    HOMA-IR (difference)0.0970.505
    hsCRP (difference), mg/dL0.0160.504
    FactorResponders (n=26)Non-responders (n=24)P valuea
    Sex, male:female16:1013:110.405
    Age, yr54.7±12.056.5±12.90.604
    Smokers, n550.582
    SBP, mm Hg131.2±12.4129.0±11.90.542
    DBP, mm Hg76.7±9.473.2±10.40.217
    Pulse rate, beat/min81.3±10.279.9±11.80.658
    HTN medication, n1240.026
    Atorvastatin (10 mg/40 mg), n12/1411/130.603
    Diagnosis, yr4.9±5.35.3±6.90.818
    Height, cm164.0±10.2160.1±9.20.162
    Weight, kg71.0±17.764.6±11.60.130
    BMI, kg/m226.1±4.825.0±2.80.318
    CPK (difference), U/L33.2±143.5-18.5±36.40.143
    AST (difference), IU/L2.1±6.4-0.5±9.60.261
    ALT (difference), IU/L3.1±11.8-2.1±18.00.239
    Insulin (difference), µIU/mL-10.6±42.40.5±6.20.210
    C-peptide (difference), pmol/mL-0.4±0.90.0±0.40.061
    HbA1c (difference), %-0.3±1.0-0.1±1.30.592
    Glucose (difference), mg/dL-21.7±68.9-7.9±83.80.528
    TC (difference), mg/dL-91.7±25.1-69.3±26.70.745
    LDL-C (difference), mg/dL-65.8±25.0-62.7±23.50.654
    HDL-C (difference), mg/dL1.2±8.4-1.9±6.80.169
    TG (difference), mg/dL-52.7±106.0-49.8±80.80.912
    GDF-15 (difference), pg/mL-219.9±319.3307.6±392.5<0.001
    HOMA-IR (difference)-1.8±8.0-0.7±3.90.556
    hsCRP (difference), mg/dL-1.6±3.3-1.0±1.00.356
    Table 1 General characteristics of the study subjects

    Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

    SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; HTN, hypertension; BMI, body mass index.

    aP value determined using an independent chi-square test, bP value determined by Mann-Whitney U test.

    Table 2 Comparison of various clinical factors before and after treatment

    Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

    CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

    aP value determined using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.

    Table 3 Comparison of various clinical factors between the 10 and 40 mg groups before and after treatment

    Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

    CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

    aP value determined using the Mann-Whitney U test.

    Table 4 Comparison of differences among various clinical factors between the 10 and 40 mg groups

    Values are presented as mean±standard deviation.

    CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

    aP value determined using the Mann-Whitney U test.

    Table 5 Pearson's correlation coefficient between the differences in GDF-15 levels and the differences in various variables

    All clinical factors are differences of the mean. Difference: after medication–before medication.

    GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

    Table 6 Comparison of various clinical factors between GDF-15 responders and non-responders

    Values are presented as mean±standard deviation. Responders: GDF-15 decreased after treatment. Non-responders: GDF-15 not decreased after treatment.

    GDF-15, growth differentiation factor 15; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; HTN, hypertension; BMI, body mass index; CPK, creatine phosphokinase; AST, aspartate transaminase; ALT, alanine transaminase; HbA1c, glycosylated hemoglobin; TC, total cholesterol; LDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; TG, triglyceride; HOMA-IR, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

    aP value determined using the Mann-Whitney U test.

    Kim JM, Back MK, Yi HS, Joung KH, Kim HJ, Ku BJ. Effect of Atorvastatin on Growth Differentiation Factor-15 in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Dyslipidemia. Diabetes Metab J. 2016;40(1):70-78.
    Received: May 11, 2015; Accepted: Aug 05, 2015
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2016.40.1.70.

    Diabetes Metab J : Diabetes & Metabolism Journal
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