[Comparative study of gemfibrozil versus pravastatin in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and low HDL cholesterol levels].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of gemfibrozil and pravastatin in coronary artery disease patients with HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) < 35 mg/dl).


METHODS
Twenty-nine patients (20 males, 60 +/- 9) were divided in a gemfibrozil group (G) (1200 mg/day n = 15) and a pravastatin group (P) (10 or 20 mg n = 10 and 4, respectively). The plasma lipid profile (LP) e.g. total cholesterol (TC), fractions and triglycerides (TG) was determined at 4 and 12 weeks of treatment.


RESULTS
HDL-C was not affected in P, TC and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) reductions were superior to those in G (31.3% vs 13.4% and 38.7 and 11.5%, p < 0.05 and < 0.01 respectively). In G HDL-C raised by 50% (12th week p < 0.01). Gemfibrozil reduced TG levels in 44.7% while in P it varied -32.2% (12th week p < 0.01 and < 0.05 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Gemfibrozil is more effective in reducing TG and raising HDL-C than pravastatin. On the other hand, pravastatin was more potent in reducing LDL-C levels.
Santos
R D
RD
Instituto do Coração do Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP.
Mansur
A P
AP
Safi Júnior
J
J
Giraldez
R R
RR
Maranhão
R C
RC
Pileggi
F
F
Ramires
J A
JA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D002784:Cholesterol; D017035:Pravastatin; D015248:Gemfibrozil
Estudo comparativo do gemfibrozil versus pravastatina no tratamento de portadores de doença arterial coronária e níveis reduzidos de HDL-colesterol.