title: Simvastatin (MK-733): a potent cholesterol synthesis inhibitor in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia.
abstract: Simvastatin (MK-733), a new inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, was administered to 38 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia for 24 weeks. A dose of 40 mg per day produced a mean reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol of 43-45% and in triglycerides of 21-31%. Mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly by 10-13%. There were no major differences in response whether the drug was taken in one or two doses. MK-733 was tolerated well. Adverse effects were infrequent and limited to slight increases of alanine aminotransferase, creatine phosphokinase and bilirubin. This drug appears to be a potent inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis and has produced the largest therapeutic response as monotherapy in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Erkelens
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gevers Leuven
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Schouten
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Stalenhoef
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin