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l ‐Carnitine/Simvastatin Reduces Lipoprotein (a) Levels Compared with Simvastatin Monotherapy: A Randomized Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Study
Author(s) -
Florentin M.,
Elisaf M. S.,
Rizos C. V.,
Nikolaou V.,
Bilianou E.,
Pitsavos C.,
Liberopoulos E. N.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/s11745-016-4216-z
Subject(s) - simvastatin , carnitine , hyperlipidemia , medicine , lipoprotein(a) , apolipoprotein b , placebo , lipoprotein , cholesterol , endocrinology , pharmacology , diabetes mellitus , alternative medicine , pathology
Abstract Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There are currently limited therapeutic options to lower Lp(a) levels. l ‐Carnitine has been reported to reduce Lp(a) levels. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of l ‐carnitine/simvastatin co‐administration with that of simvastatin monotherapy on Lp(a) levels in subjects with mixed hyperlipidemia and elevated Lp(a) concentration. Subjects with levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) >160 mg/dL, triacylglycerol (TAG) >150 mg/dL and Lp(a) >20 mg/dL were included in this study. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive l ‐carnitine 2 g/day plus simvastatin 20 mg/day ( N = 29) or placebo plus simvastatin 20 mg/day ( N = 29) for a total of 12 weeks. Lp(a) was significantly reduced in the l ‐carnitine/simvastatin group [−19.4%, from 52 (20–171) to 42 (15–102) mg/dL; p = 0.01], but not in the placebo/simvastatin group [−6.7%, from 56 (26–108) to 52 (27–93) mg/dL, p = NS versus baseline and p = 0.016 for the comparison between groups]. Similar significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL‐C, apolipoprotein (apo) B and TAG were observed in both groups. Co‐administration of l ‐carnitine with simvastatin was associated with a significant, albeit modest, reduction in Lp(a) compared with simvastatin monotherapy in subjects with mixed hyperlipidemia and elevated baseline Lp(a) levels.