Ezetimibe specifically blocks the absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol and plant sterols. Synergism of ezetimibe-statin therapy on LDL-cholesterol has been demonstrated, but data concerning the pleiotropic effects of this combination are controversial. We tested the hypothesis that the combination of simvastatin and ezetimibe would induce improvement in inflammatory status, as reflected by leukocyte count and CRP, IL-6 and TNF-a levels. This open-label trial evaluated whether this combination results in a synergistic effect the pro-inflammatory status of pre-diabetic subjects. Fifty pre-diabetic subjects were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups, one receiving ezetimibe (10 mg/d), the other, simvastatin (20 mg/d) for 12 weeks, followed by an additional 12-week period of combined therapy.