Cholesterol drugs act against diabetic nerve pain

New evidence suggests the same drugs that help reduce levels of artery-clogging cholesterol might prevent nerve damage brought on by diabetes, Australian researchers said on Friday.
New evidence suggests the same drugs that help reduce levels of artery-clogging cholesterol might prevent nerve damage brought on by diabetes, Australian researchers said on Friday.

They said an eight-year study of statins and fibrates -- two classes of cholesterol medication -- significantly cut the risk of developing peripheral sensory diabetic neuropathy, a condition that affects half of all diabetics.

The condition can cause stinging or burning sensations, tingling, pain, numbness or weakness in the hands and feet and is a major cause of amputations.

"The global impact of diabetic neuropathy is that there is an amputation about every 50 seconds," Dr. Aaron Vinik, director of the Streliz Diabetes Center at Eastern Virginia Medical School, said at the American Diabetes Association's scientific meeting in Chicago.

"It markedly affects people's quality of life," said Vinik, who moderated a press briefing.

Statins, the world's biggest-selling drugs, cut levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

Fibrates are drugs that have been shown to raise levels of HDL, the so-called "good" cholesterol, and reduce triglyceride, a form of fat obtained through food.

Both drugs are already highly recommended for people with type 2 diabetes to help prevent heart attacks. Now they appear to help this type of nerve damage, said Dr. Timothy Davis, of the University of Western Australia, who led the study. www.healthnews-stat.com