Extended-release niacin lowers ApoB-48 concentration in T2DM

(HealthDay)—For patients with type 2 diabetes, a statin plus extended-release niacin (ERN) lowers apolipoprotein B-48 (apoB-48) concentration compared to a statin alone, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

Jing Pang, from the University of Western Australia in Perth, and colleagues examined the effect of ERN on apoB-48 kinetics in 12 statin-treated men with type 2 diabetes. Participants were randomly allocated to receive 12 weeks of rosuvastatin (R) or R plus ERN and then crossed over to the alternative treatment. At the end of each treatment period, postprandial metabolic studies were performed and apoB-48 kinetics were determined.

The researchers found that the apoB-48 concentration was lower with ERN versus statin alone (P = 0.03). ERN treatment also correlated with significantly lower postprandial triglyceride and apoB-48 area under the curve (AUC; P < 0.05), with no change seen in triglyceride and apoB-48 incremental AUC. ERN treatment was associated with lower apoB-48 secretion rate (SR) in the basal state (P = 0.04) and a lower number of apoB-48 containing particles secreted in response to fat load (P = 0.02). ERN was not associated with alteration in apoB-48 fractional catabolic rates (P = 0.79).

"ERN reduces apoB-48 concentration by lowering fasting and postprandial apoB-48 SR," the authors write. "This effect may be beneficial for lowering atherogenic postprandial lipoproteins and may provide cardiovascular disease risk benefit in patients with type 2 diabetes."

One author disclosed financial ties to Abbott, which provided the ERN for the study.

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