The effect of atorvastatin on postprandial lipaemia in overweight or obese women homozygous for apo E3.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of atorvastatin on postprandial lipaemia in overweight or obese women with the apoprotein (apo) E3/E3 genotype.


METHODS
Double-blind randomised, placebo-controlled 8-week single-centre study.


METHODS
Twenty-two healthy women, homozygous for apo E3 with a BMI ranging from 27.6 to 41.1 kg/m2 and normal or moderately elevated fasting triglycerides (53-184 mg/dl).


METHODS
After a 4-week isocaloric single-blind, placebo lead-in period, subjects were randomly assigned to receive either placebo (n = 7) or atorvastatin 20 mg once daily in the evening (n = 15) for 4 weeks.


RESULTS
Atorvastatin significantly reduces fasting total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and postprandial triglycerides in obese women, homozygous for apo E3 with normal or near-normal fasting triglyceride levels. No significant effect on fasting triglycerides was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Atorvastatin decreases postprandial hyperlipidaemia, an independent cardiovascular risk factor, in normolipidaemic obese women. This effect of atorvastatin may, therefore, represent a cardioprotective mechanism.
Vansant
G
G
Catholic University Leuven, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, Belgium. greet.vansant@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Mertens
A
A
Muls
E
E
D000328:Adult; D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019518:Postprandial Period / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D053318:Apolipoprotein E3; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D000069059:Atorvastatin