Effect of bezafibrate on low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in normolipidemia. Study in coronary patients and their first degree relatives.
A pharmacological study was carried out in a group of 20 subjects composed of 13 coronary patients and 7 normal close relatives (first degree) who were considered at a high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) because of their low levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLch) (mean +/- SD: 34.1 +/- 5.2 mg/dl) and their high total cholesterol/HDLch (Tch/HDLch) ratio (mean +/- SD:6.7 +/- 1.1), despite their normal serum lipid values. With the purpose of normalizing these parameters they were submitted to a 4-month treatment with bezafibrate, a hypolipidemic agent which has a known effect in increasing HDLch and in decreasing the Tch/HDLch ratio. At the end of the study total serum cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly by 10 and 30%, respectively (p less than 0.01). HDL increased in its cholesterol content by 33% reaching a value of 45.4 +/- 9.8 mg/dl (mean +/- SD, p less than 0.01) as well as in its apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) content (13%, p less than 0.02). HDL2 subfraction also rose in cholesterol and in Apo A1: by 90 and 38%, respectively (p less than 0.01). HDL3 subfraction rised only its cholesterol content by 24% (p less than 0.01). Tch/HDLch ratio was significantly reduced (p less than 0.01) to a value of 4.6 +/- 0.9 (mean +/- SD). Total serum Apo B diminished by 14% (p less than 0.01). No adverse effects were observed during the follow-up.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D001629:Bezafibrate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008055:Lipids; D001629:Bezafibrate