Gemfibrozil prevents major coronary events by increasing HDL-cholesterol and more.
A low concentration of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Gemfibrozil reduces the number of CHD events by 22% in 5 years. This marked beneficial effect can only partly be explained by the ability of gemfibrozil to increase HDL-cholesterol. Recently gemfibrozil has been shown to activate peroxisome proliferator-activated nuclear receptors. This activation leads to the increase in HDL-cholesterol and to a decrease in vascular wall inflammation and other changes in vascular function. These vascular effects of gemfibrozil may contribute to the beneficial effects in CHD.
Doggrell
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Doggrell Biomedical Communications, Lynfield, Auckland, New Zealand. s_doggrell@yahoo.com
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000187:drug effects; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000187:drug effects
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014157:Transcription Factors; D015248:Gemfibrozil