Impaired endothelium-dependent skin microvascular function during high-dose atorvastatin treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes

Aims: The present study investigated the effects of lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin on skin microvascular function in patients with type 1 diabetes and dyslipidaemia. Methods: Twenty patients received daily treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg or placebo during 2 months in a randomised, double-blind, cross-over study. Forearm skin microcirculation was investigated with laser Doppler perfusion imaging during iontophoresis of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside to assess endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent microvascular reactivity, respectively. Various biochemical markers of endothelial function were also investigated. Results: Endothelium-dependent microvascular reactivity decreased during atorvastatin (p < 0.001), showing a significant treatment effect compared with placebo (p = 0.04). Atorvastatin treatment was also associated with increased haemoglobin A(1C) levels from 7.45% to 7.77% (p = 0.008). Conclusions: The present study shows impaired endothelium-dependent skin microvascular function during high-dose atorvastatin treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes, thus implicating a risk for deterioration of microvascular function during such therapy in these patients.