title: Changes in serum lipoprotein(a) in hyperlipidemic subjects undergoing long-term treatment with lipid-lowering drugs.
abstract: Though the exact physiology and pathology of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] remains unknown, it has been demonstrated that increased serum Lp(a) levels are correlated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease. The effects of lipid-lowering drugs on Lp(a) levels is unclear because of inconsistencies between study designs. This study analyzes the effects of the commonly used lipid-lowering drugs pravastatin (PRAV), lovastatin (LOV), and cholestyramine (CHOL) on serum Lp(a) and other serum lipid levels in a parallel study design. Hyperlipidemic men (n = 32) were enrolled from three centers and treated for 48 weeks in a multicenter clinical trial using PRAV, LOV, CHOL, or a placebo (for the first 16 weeks only). Baseline serum low-density lipoproteins (LDL-C), high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C), and triglycerides were 199 +/- 38, 40 +/- 9, and 160 +/- 70 mg/dl, respectively. At the end of 48 weeks, serum plasma LDL-C declined in patients randomized to PRAV, LOV, and CHOL, respectively, by 31%, 29%, and 23% (all p < 0.001); HDL increased by 4%, 11%, and 11% (all p < 0.001); and TG changed by -16%, -28%, and +43% (all p < 0.001). Subjects in PRAV and LOV changed Lp(a) by 9% and 3%, respectively. Although there was an initial Lp(a) decline in the first 8 weeks of CHOL therapy (p < 0.05, ANOVA), this returned to baseline after 48 weeks. In this parallel study design PRAV, LOV, and CHOL are effective LDL-lowering medications with minimal effects on plasma Lp(a).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Dobs
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guccione
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hoover
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D014280:Triglycerides; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin; D017035:Pravastatin