Effect of gemfibrozil versus lovastatin on increased serum lipoprotein(a) levels of patients with hypercholesterolemia.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of gemfibrozil, compared with lovastatin, in patients with high levels of lipoprotein(a) and on plasma lipid profile. Twenty-seven nondiabetic patients with high levels of plasma lipids and lipoprotein(a), 19 male and eight female, aged 37-68 (mean +/- S.D. 54.2 +/- 7.5) years, were randomly assigned to 2 weeks of treatment with gemfibrozil 600 mg twice daily (14 pts.) or lovastatin 40-80 mg once daily (13 pts.). Patients had fasting plasma total cholesterol levels > or = 6.2 mmol/l, low-density lipoprotein > 4.14 mmol/l and lipoprotein(a) > 0.62 mmol/l. All patients but one had triglycerides > 2.82 mmol/l. There were no statistical differences between both groups in terms of age, sex, clinical diagnosis and previous medication. After 3 months of treatment, gemfibrozil reduced triglycerides (47.9% vs. 24.5%; P < 0.001), very low density lipoprotein (43.9% vs. 24.6%; P < 0.05), lipoprotein(a) (25.3% vs. 4.9%; P < 0.05) and increased high-density lipoprotein (34.4% vs. 11%; P < 0.01) more than lovastatin. Gemfibrozil and lovastatin reduced comparably total cholesterol (21.4% vs. 29.0%; P = NS) and low-density lipoprotein (26.5% vs. 37.3%; P = NS). The plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein and lipoprotein(a) were unchanged significantly by lovastatin. In conclusion, besides well-known efficacy in hyperlipidemia treatment, gemfibrozil also increased high-density lipoprotein and reduced lipoprotein(a), which may have important epidemiologic implications.
Ramires
J A
JA
Heart Institute, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Mansur
A P
AP
Solimene
M C
MC
Maranhão
R
R
Chamone
D
D
da Luz
P
P
Pileggi
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin; D015248:Gemfibrozil