title: [Effect of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on the erythrocyte membrane].
abstract: We studied 10 patients affected by primary hypercholesterolemia treated with placebo for 1 month and with simvastatin (20 mg die) for 6 months during a double-blind clinical trial. At 1-month intervals we determined the following parameters in the serum: total and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A1 and B. At the same time intervals, we also determined the cholesterol and phospholipid concentration, the Na+/K+ ATPase activity and the fluidity of the erythrocyte membranes. Our results demonstrated the following modifications in the erythrocyte membranes during simvastatin treatment: 1) an initial increase in the cholesterol concentration and in the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, with a significant decrease only after 4 months; 2) a similar behaviour of membrane fluidity, with an initial decrease and an elevation after 4 months; 3) an increase in the Na+/K+ ATPase activity only after 4 months. We hypothesize that simvastatin not only inhibits the hepatic synthesis of cholesterol, but also modifies the cholesterol exchange between plasma and the erythrocyte membrane.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Biochimica, Università di Ancona.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rabini
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antosiewicz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Staffolani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Polenta
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mazzanti
mesh_terms: D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase
vernacular_title: Azione degli inibitori della HMG-CoA reducttasi sulla membrana eritrocitaria.