CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy is associated with an enhanced TNF-α-lowering effect  compared with statin monotherapy .
AIMS Statins are known to influence the status of adipokines , which play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases .
As the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statin therapy on the impact of statins on plasma adipokines levels is currently unclear , the aim of the present study was to investigate this through a meta- analysis of controlled trials .
Effects of Rimonabant, as Monotherapy and in Combination With Fenofibrate or Ezetimibe, on Plasma Adipokine Levels: A Pilot Study
Weight loss and hypolipidemic drugs can improve lipid and adipokine levels . We assessed the effects of rimonabant , alone and in combination with fenofibrate or ezetimibe , on adipokine levels in obese/overweight patients with dyslipidemia . Overweight/obese patients ( n = 60 , body mass index = 27 - 40 kg/m2 ) with mixed dyslipidemia were recruited . Patients received a hypocaloric diet and were r and omized to rimonabant 20 mg/d ( group R , n = 20 ) , rimonabant 20 mg/d plus fenofibrate 200 mg/d ( group RF , n = 20 ) , or rimonabant 20 mg/d plus ezetimibe 10 mg/d ( group RE , n = 20 ) . After 3 months , leptin concentration was significantly reduced in all groups ( —38 % , P < .005 ; —40 % , P < .005 ; and —44 % , P < .001 in the R , RF , and RE groups , respectively ) . Total adiponectin remained unaltered . Visfatin concentration decreased significantly only in the RE and RF groups ( —18 % and —38 % , respectively ; P < .047 ) . Treatment with rimonabant may improve adipokine levels in overweight/obese patients with dyslipidemia . The addition of fenofibrate or ezetimibe may reinforce this effect
CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy is associated with an enhanced TNF-α-lowering effect  compared with statin monotherapy .
AIMS Statins are known to influence the status of adipokines , which play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases .
As the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statin therapy on the impact of statins on plasma adipokines levels is currently unclear , the aim of the present study was to investigate this through a meta- analysis of controlled trials .