title: [Gemfibrozil reduces elevated lipoprotein (a) levels in hypercholesterolemic patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of gemfibrozil and lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and increased lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-seven subjects with total cholesterol (TC) > 240 mg/dL, LDL-C > 160 mg/dL and Lp(a) > 25 mg/dL were studied. Patients were randomized to receive gemfibrozil 1200 mg/day, (n = 14, 54 +/- 7 years) or lovastatin 40-80 mg at night (n = 13, 55 +/- 9 years) for 12 weeks. Lipid profile and Lp(a) were determined at 4 and 12 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Gemfibrozil reduced TC (-21%), LDL-C (-26%), triglycerides (TG)(-48%) and Lp(a) (-25%), increased HDL-C (+48%)(p < 0.001). Lovastatin reduced TC (-29%), LDL-C (-37%) and TG (-25%) (p < 0.001) however, it did not affect Lp(a).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Besides reducing plasma LDL-C, TG and increasing HDL-C, gemfibrozil effectively lowers Lp(a) levels. Lovastatin did not affect Lp(a) levels.
authors.affiliation: Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ramires
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Spósito
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Solimene
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chamone
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: da Luz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pileggi
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D008148:Lovastatin; D015248:Gemfibrozil
vernacular_title: O gemfibrozil reduz níveis elevados de lipoproteína (a) em pacientes hipercolesterolêmicos.