Effects of simvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
BACKGROUND
Patients with elevated levels of serum triglycerides (TG) often have other associated lipid abnormalities (e.g., low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]) and are at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. Although the therapeutic benefits of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) in hypercholesterolemic patients have been well established, less is known about the effects of statins in patient populations with hypertriglyceridemia.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lipoprotein-altering efficacy of simvastatin in hypertriglyceridemic patients.


METHODS
This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. In all, 195 patients with fasting serum triglyceride levels between 300 and 900 mg/dl received once daily doses of placebo or simvastatin 20, 40, or 80 mg for 6 weeks.


RESULTS
Compared with placebo, simvastatin treatment across all doses resulted in significant reductions (p < 0.05 - < 0.001) in serum levels of triglycerides (-20 to -31% decrease) and TG-rich lipoprotein particles. Significant (p < 0.001) reductions were also seen in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-25 to -35%) and non-HDL-C (-26 to -40%). Levels of HDL-C were increased (7-11%) in the simvastatin groups compared with placebo (p < 0.05 - < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study demonstrate the beneficial effects of simvastatin in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Isaacsohn
Jonathan
J
Metabolic and Atherosclerosis Research Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Hunninghake
Donald
D
Schrott
Helmut
H
Dujovne
Carlos A
CA
Knopp
Robert
R
Weiss
Stuart R
SR
Bays
Harold
H
Crouse
John R
JR
Davidson
Michael H
MH
Keilson
Leonard M
LM
McKenney
James
J
Korenman
Stanley G
SG
Dobs
Adrian S
AS
Stein
Evan
E
Krauss
Ronald M
RM
Maccubbin
Darbie
D
Cho
Meehyung
M
Plotkin
Diane J
DJ
Mitchel
Yale B
YB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001053:Apolipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D019821:Simvastatin