Niacin, N-3 Fatty Acids and Insulin Resistance

Summary

This research study is being conducted to test the effects of two drugs on blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) and blood sugar (glucose) levels in patients with diabetes or "pre-diabetes" (both of which have a condition called "insulin-resistance"). These products are Niaspan (extended release nicotinic acid) and Omacor (omega-3 acid ethyl esters). We hypothesize that the combination of Niaspan and Omacor will reduce serum triglyceride levels, increase HDL-cholesterol levels and do so without altering glucose levels.

Timeline

Start

2007-10

Primary completion

2008-08

Completion

2008-12

Publications

• Savinova OV, Fillaus K, Harris WS, Shearer GC. Effects of niacin and omega-3 fatty acids on the apolipoproteins in overweight patients with elevated triglycerides and reduced HDL cholesterol. Atherosclerosis. 2015 Jun;240(2):520-5. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2015.04.793. Epub 2015 Apr 22.
• Shearer GC, Pottala JV, Hansen SN, Brandenburg V, Harris WS. Effects of prescription niacin and omega-3 fatty acids on lipids and vascular function in metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Lipid Res. 2012 Nov;53(11):2429-35. doi: 10.1194/jlr.P022392. Epub 2012 Aug 14.
• Hu S, Shearer GC, Steffes MW, Harris WS, Bostom AG. Once-daily extended-release niacin lowers serum phosphorus concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome dyslipidemia. Am J Kidney Dis. 2011 Jan;57(1):181-2. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2010.06.029. Epub 2010 Oct 8. No abstract available.

Drugs

Indications