Effects of fluvastatin, a new inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, and niceritrol on serum lipids, lipoproteins and cholesterol ester transfer activity in primary hypercholesterolemic patients.
Effects of a combination therapy of fluvastatin, a new inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, and niceritrol on lipid metabolism were investigated measuring a wide range of parameters in 42 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. After a wash-out period patients were randomly allocated to 1 of the 2 groups, the fluvastatin-preceding group (G-1) and the niceritrol-preceding group (G-2). In G-1 fluvastatin monotherapy (30 mg/day) significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C). There was no significant change in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)). Further effect in HDL-C and TG was observed after the addition of niceritrol (750 mg/day). On the other hand, in G-2, while niceritrol alone (750 mg/day) produced no significant change in TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG and Lp(a), the addition of fluvastatin (30 mg/day) reduced TC and LDL-C levels significantly. Cholesterol ester transfer (CET) activity was significantly reduced by niceritrol monotherapy. After the concomitant use of the 2 drugs CET activity was significantly reduced only in G-2. No significant change in lipoprotein lipase and hepatic triglyceride lipase activities were observed in the 2 groups at either point in time. No serious adverse effect was observed in this study. It is concluded that fluvastatin is an effective drug for lowering LDL-cholesterol and causes no adverse alteration in lipid metabolism. Combination with niceritrol at a dose of 750 mg/day dose not appear to augment or attenuate beneficial effects of fluvastatin.
Sasaki
J
J
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan.
Yamamoto
K
K
Kobori
S
S
Setoguchi
Y
Y
Sato
Y
Y
Matsunaga
A
A
Shichiri
M
M
Sakai
T
T
Kono
S
S
Arakawa
K
K
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007211:Indoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008049:Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000097:blood; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009531:Niceritrol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D000077340:Fluvastatin; D002784:Cholesterol; D008049:Lipase; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase; D009531:Niceritrol