Open AccessEffects of simvastatin, an HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor, in patients with hypertriglyceridemia
Author(s) -
Isaacsohn Jonathan,
Hunninghake Donald,
Schrott Helmut,
Dujovne Carlos A.,
Knopp Robert,
Weiss Stuart R.,
Bays Harold,
Crousei John R.,
Davidson Michael H.,
Keilson Leonardm,
McKenney James,
Korenman Stanleyg,
Dobs Adrians,
Stein Evan,
Krauss Ronald M.,
MacCubbin Darbie,
Cho Meeh Yung,
Plotkin Diane J.,
Mitchel YALE B.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960260105
Subject(s) - simvastatin , medicine , hmg coa reductase , hypertriglyceridemia , hydroxymethylglutaryl coa reductase , pharmacology , reductase , hydroxymethylglutaryl coa reductase inhibitors , statin , cholesterol , enzyme , biochemistry , triglyceride , chemistry
Background : Patients with elevated levels of serum triglyc‐erides (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 hypertriglyceri‐demic 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%)andnon‐HDL‐C(‐26to‐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.