Effect of atorvastatin on lipid parameters, LDL subtype distribution, hemorrheological parameters and adhesion molecule concentrations in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
OBJECTIVE
Hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for atherosclerosis that is typically associated with high concentrations of adhesion molecules, impaired hemorrheology and an unfavourable low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subtype distribution. We hypothesised that some of these risk markers might be beneficially influenced by lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin in hypertriglyceridemic patients.


RESULTS
Nineteen patents with primary hypertriglyceridemia were given 10 mg of atorvastatin per day for four weeks. Their cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, LDL subtype profile, hemorrheological parameters and E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 concentrations were measured before and at the end of atorvastatin therapy. The levels of total and LDL cholesterol respectively decreased by 25% and 24% (both p < 0.001). Furthermore, cholesterol was reduced by 8-29% in all seven LDL subfractions (density range: 1.020-1.066 g/mL) (p < 0.05). The reduction in triglyceride concentrations was of marginal significance (9%, p = 0.1), but its degree positively correlated with the reduction of small-dense LDL (r = 0.5, p < 0.025). Plasma viscosity and blood viscosity at low shear rates were respectively reduced by 2% and 16% (both p < 0.05). The effect of the treatment on the concentrations of HDL-C, fibrinogen and adhesion molecules was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Atorvastatin (10 mg/day) not only reduced the plasma concentrations of atherogenic lipoproteins but also improved the LDL-subtype profile and reduced plasma and blood viscosity in patients with hypertriglyceridemia; however, it failed to significantly lower triglyceride concentrations.
Empen
K
K
Medical Department II, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
Geiss
H C
HC
Lehrke
M
M
Otto
C
C
Schwandt
P
P
Parhofer
K G
KG
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D018056:Hemorheology / Q000187:drug effects*; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D011758:Pyrroles; D014280:Triglycerides; D000069059:Atorvastatin