Effect of lipid-lowering treatment on factor VII profile in hyperlipidemic patients.
A link has been suggested between blood lipids and hemostatic activation. Factor VII (FVII) is a coagulation factor which plays a pivotal role in fibrin generation and thrombus formation. Clinical trials have demonstrated that inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase greatly reduce cardiovascular events in patients with and without coronary artery disease but few data, at this time, are available on the effects of lipid-lowering treatment on factor VII levels. We studied thirty-six IIA and IIB type hyperlipidemic patients who, after a preliminary period of lipid-lowering diet, added atorvastatin (20 mg/daily) or continued dietary treatment alone until they achieved LDL-C recommended levels (<4 mmol/L). Four to six weeks of lipid lowering treatment with diet plus atorvastatin, produced a significant reduction in FVII coagulant activity (FVIIc) and antigen (FVIIAg). No significant changes were observed in activated FVII (FVIIa). The lipid-lowering treatment with diet alone induced an improved lipid pattern, but no significant changes in FVII profile. Our study suggests a significant effect of lipid-lowering treatment on FVII levels. A possibile nonlipid mechanism that modifies FVII pathway may be suggested.
Porreca
E
E
Dipartimento di Medicina e Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Università G. D'Annunzio, Chieti, Italy. eporreca@unich.it
Di Febbo
C
C
Amore
C
C
Di Castelnuovo
A
A
Baccante
G
G
Donati
M B
MB
Cuccurullo
F
F
Iacoviello
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D004032:Diet; D005167:Factor VII / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D008055:Lipids; D011758:Pyrroles; D005167:Factor VII; D000069059:Atorvastatin