The Effect Of Exercise And Extended-release Niacin On Lipids, Lipoproteins, And Glucose In Individuals With Type II Diabetes

Abstract

Individuals with Type II diabetes are considered to have the equivalent risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) as a patient with established CHD. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends a more intensive approach to therapy for individuals with Type II diabetes, many of who have multiple dyslipidemias. PURPOSE To evaluate the combined effect of exercise and extended release ER niacin (Niaspan, KOS Pharmaceuticals Inc., Miami, FL) on changes in total cholesterol (TC) HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and glucose (GLC). METHODS Subjects were 9 men and 7 women (mean age 59.7±10 years) that had Type II diabetes and had not been exercising regularly. All had body composition and a blood lipid profile (all values as mg/dl) performed prior to and after a 16-week exercise program. All subjects completed 16 weeks of a supervised aerobic exercise program with net energy expenditure (EE) gradually increased for the first 8 weeks. Additionally, all subjects received ER niacin at a beginning dose of 500 mg for the first 4 weeks, with the dosage increased by 500 mg at weeks 5, 9, and 13. The mean net EE exceeded 1000 kcals/week for weeks 8–11, and exceeded 1200 kcals/week for weeks 12–16. RESULTS Following the 16-week exercise program, LDL (132.6±11.1 to 118±9.5) and TG (143.6±15.8 to 122.4±11.4) significantly decreased and HDL (42.6±2.6 to 53.5±2.6) significantly increased. There were no significant changes in TC, GLC, body weight, and estimated body fat percentage. CONCLUSIONS Subjects with Type II diabetes obtained favorable changes in their blood lipid profile following a 16-week program of regular exercise and treatment with ER niacin. All patients maintained appropriate glucose control during the course of the study. Supported by KOS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.