title: Starting with rosuvastatin in primary hyperlipidemia--Is there more than lipid lowering?
abstract: The authors investigated the effects of rosuvastatin, beyond its lipid-lowering activity, on several nonlipid metabolic variables, along with its safety and tolerability, in patients treated for primary hyperlipidemia. Patients (n = 55) with primary hyperlipidemia were open-label assigned to the recommended starting dose of rosuvastatin 10 mg/day, and serum metabolic variables were measured at baseline and after 8 and 20 weeks. Treatment with rosuvastatin produced significant reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B, nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non HDL-C), and triglyceride concentrations, whereas HDL-C, apolipoprotein A-I, and lipoprotein(a) levels did not change significantly from baseline. The LDL-C treatment target was achieved in 71% of patients. No significant variations in renal function parameters (serum creatinine and creatinine clearance), insulin resistance estimates, and serum concentrations of uric acid, total homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid were observed during the period of treatment. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly lowered by rosuvastatin therapy (median values, 3.1 vs 2.0 vs 1.9 mg/L, at 0, 8, and 20 weeks, respectively; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, rosuvastatin at 10 mg/day is a highly effective, safe, and well-tolerated monotherapy option for patients with primary hyperlipidemia, with a favorable antiinflammatory potential and nondeteriorating effects on renal function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Haralampos J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Milionis
authors.forename: Irene F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Gazi
authors.forename: Theodosios D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Filippatos
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tzovaras
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chasiotis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goudevenos
authors.forename: Konstantine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seferiadis
authors.forename: Moses S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Elisaf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D002097:C-Reactive Protein