Isaacsohn J, Hunninghake D, Schrott H, Dujovne CA, Knopp R, Weiss SR, Bays H, Crouse JR, Davidson MH, Keilson LM, McKenney J, Korenman SG, Dobs AS, Stein E, Krauss RM, Maccubbin D, Cho M, Plotkin DJ, Mitchel YB. Effects of simvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Clin Cardiol 2006;
26:18-24. [PMID:
12539808 PMCID:
PMC6654219 DOI:
10.1002/clc.4960260105]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Patients with elevated levels of serum triglycerides (TG) often have other associated lipid abnormalities (e.g., low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) and are at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. Although the therapeutic benefits of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) in hypercholesterolemic patients have been well established, less is known about the effects of statins in patient populations with hypertriglyceridemia.
HYPOTHESIS
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lipoprotein-altering efficacy of simvastatin in hypertriglyceridemic patients.
METHODS
This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. In all, 195 patients with fasting serum triglyceride levels between 300 and 900 mg/dl received once daily doses of placebo or simvastatin 20, 40, or 80 mg for 6 weeks.
RESULTS
Compared with placebo, simvastatin treatment across all doses resulted in significant reductions (p < 0.05 - < 0.001) in serum levels of triglycerides (-20 to -31% decrease) and TG-rich lipoprotein particles. Significant (p < 0.001) reductions were also seen in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-25 to -35%) and non-HDL-C (-26 to -40%). Levels of HDL-C were increased (7-11%) in the simvastatin groups compared with placebo (p < 0.05 - < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study demonstrate the beneficial effects of simvastatin in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
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