Rice Bran Oil Compared to Atorvastatin for Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes 

Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences. 2014 Mar 15; 7(1):95-102.
http://dx.doi.org/10.3889/MJMS.1857-5773.2014.0365

Abstract
Objective: To compare the effect of rice bran oil versus statins (atorvastatin drug) on blood
glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and serum lipid profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The safety of the tested rice bran oil and atorvastatin were investigated. Fatty acids contents of
RBO, olive and sesame oil were also assessed.
Materials and Methods: Forty four eligible patients with type 2 diabetes and moderately
hyperlipidemic were randomly and equally allocated into two groups, rice bran oil (RBO) group and atorvastatin group. The RBO group received a low-calorie diet and consumed 30 g / day RBO oil as salad dressing and for use as main cooking oil for 6 months. The Atorvastatin group received a lowcalorie diet and 40 mg/day of atorvastatin drug for 6 months. At baseline and after 6 months of study intervention, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum lipid profiles; hepatic, renal and inflammatory biomarkers were estimated.
Results: Results showed significant increase in fasting and postprandial blood glucose, HbA1C
and liver transaminases (alanine transaminase ALT and aspartate transaminase AST) in the
atorvastatin group while a significant reduction was shown in RBO group. Moreover, significant
reductions in lipid profile levels, blood urea, serum uric acid and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were observed in both RBO and atorvastatin groups after 6 months of the study intervention.
Conclusion: The use of rice bran oil together with dietary modifications may have implications in lowering fasting and postprandial blood glucose, suppressing serum lipid levels, reduce the
TC/HDL-C ratio and therefore reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, RBO exerts a hypouricemic action and anti-inflammatory effects. The findings obtained from the current study reinforce the use of RBO as an alternative natural potent hypolipidemic agent safer than
atorvastatin drug that may induce side effects in some cases in patients intolerant to statins.