title: Combined treatment with cholestyramine and nicotinic acid in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: effects on biliary lipid composition.
abstract: In ten patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, combination therapy with cholestyramine and nicotinic acid was instituted for a minimum of 2 months. During therapy, plasma low-density lipoprotein levels were reduced by 32%, and low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein ratios by 40%. The cholesterol saturation of fasting gall-bladder bile was reduced by 33% during treatment. We conclude that long-term combination therapy with cholestyramine and nicotinic acid is practically feasible in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia, normalizes plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels in many patients, and does not result in unwanted side-effects on biliary lipids. It should therefore be considered as the therapy of choice in this condition.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001646:Bile / Q000032:analysis*; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000032:analysis; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin; D009525:Niacin; D002784:Cholesterol