Diabetes mellitus type 2 is reaching epidemic proportions in western societies. The treatment of diabetic dyslipidemia to prevent cardiovascular disease is of increasing clinical and scientific interest. In the pathogenesis of this disease plasma triglycerides play a central role. Triglyceride rich particles by themselves are not considered atherogenic; however, they are hydrolysed to chylomicron and VLDL remnant particles. Furthermore, mediated by cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), atherogenic small dense LDL particles (sdLDL) emerge, and HDL cholesterol decreases. All these factors yield into a significantly increased atherogenesis and cardiovascular risk. Weight reduction and low fat diets have shown positive effects in general, but a specific therapy to treat diabetic dyslipidemia is still missing. Studies so far have failed to show a reliable benefit for fibrates and for nicotinic acid. Thus, statin therapy to decrease LDL cholesterol to target is the essential treatment for diabetic dyslipidemia to reduce cardiovascular risk. Other lipid lowering drugs can be added optionally.
