The effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (lovastatin) on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes

Decreased rates of bone fracture have been reported in hypercholesterolemic patients treated with statin compounds. Considering the higher prevalence of bone fractures in diabetic patients compared to non-diabetics, this study was performed to determine the effect of lovastatin on the bone mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes.

In this clinical trial study, 60 postmenopausal womean with type 2 diabetes were divided into 2 groups (with and without hypercholesterolemia) matched for age, diabetes duration, BMI and duration of menopause. Hypercholesterolemic subjects were treated with lovastatin for 18 months. Using DXA, bone densitometries was performed in all patients before and at the end of the study and the results were compared.

Total hip and lumbar spine BMD significantly increased in the treated group (p<0.01). In control subjects BMD decreased in total hip and increased in lumbar spine, but not significantly. Percentage changes of BMD in the femoral neck, wards triangle, trochanter, total hip and lumbar spine were 3.5%, 15.7%, 1.7%,3.29% and 3.2% respectively in the treated group as compared to -2.54%, 3%, -2.2%, -2.2% and 1.1% in control subjects, respectively.

According to our findings, lovastatin can increase the BMD in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. It seems that these agents may slow the process of osteoporosis or stop its progression, especially in hypercholesterolemic patients.