title: Effect of lipid-lowering drug therapy on small-dense low-density lipoprotein.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the effects of lipid-lowering therapy on small-dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sdLDL-C).
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature was obtained from MEDLINE (1989-September 2004) and references of selected articles. Key search terms included small-dense LDL-C and lipid-lowering drug therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statins, fibrates, and niacin have demonstrated favorable effects on sdLDL-C, especially among patients with mixed dyslipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia. These effects include a reduction of sdLDL-C and/or a shift to the larger, less atherogenic LDL-C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggest that statins, fibrates, and niacin are effective at reducing concentrations of sdLDL-C and possibly normalizing LDL-C subclasses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160-7231, USA. jbackes@kumc.edu
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Backes
authors.forename: Cheryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Gibson
mesh_terms: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects*; D002995:Clofibric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D009525:Niacin; D002995:Clofibric Acid