Statin May Reduce Benefits of Exercise

By Diane Fennell The generic cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin, previously sold under the brand name Zocor, may diminish the positive effects of exercise in overweight and obese adults, according to a small new study from the University of Missouri. Statins are the most widely prescribed type of drugs in the world and are taken by 56% of people with Type 2 diabetes. Statin use had been linked with muscle damage and reduced function of mitochondria (the energy centers of cells). Because these medicines are often prescribed along with lifestyle changes, including exercise, researchers sought to determine whether statin use would have any effect on the positive physical changes that typically result from exercise. The researchers measured cardiorespiratory fitness in 37 obese, sedentary adults with low levels of fitness and at least two risk factors for the metabolic syndrome. The participants were then randomly assigned to 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training or 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training in combination with taking 40 milligrams daily of simvastatin. At the end of the study period, those on the exercise-only regimen had increased their cardiorespiratory fitness by an average of 10%. In those taking the statin, however, the improvements were blunted, resulting in an increased fitness level of only 1.5%. Additionally, in those on the exercise regimen alone, skeletal muscle mitochondrial content increased by 13%, while in those taking the statin, it decrease...
Source: Diabetes Self-Management - Category: Diabetes Authors: Source Type: blogs