Statin therapy alters the relationship between apolipoprotein B and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets in high-risk patients: the MERCURY II (Measuring Effective Reductions in Cholesterol Using Rosuvastatin) trial.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this analysis was to compare concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and apolipoprotein B (apoB) before and during statin therapy.


BACKGROUND
Reducing LDL-C to a pre-determined goal may still leave an excess of atherogenic lipoproteins, as reflected in apoB levels.


METHODS
The MERCURY II (Measuring Effective Reductions in Cholesterol Using Rosuvastatin therapY II) trial examined the effects of statin treatment in patients with high coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, LDL-C > or =130 and <250 mg/dl, and triglycerides <400 mg/dl. Therapy consisted of rosuvastatin (10 or 20 mg), atorvastatin (10 or 20 mg), or simvastatin (20 or 40 mg). The apoB and LDL-C or non-HDL-C at baseline and after 16 weeks of therapy were compared using linear regression.


RESULTS
In untreated patients, the apoB target of <90 mg/dl was roughly equivalent to an LDL-C level <100 mg/dl and a non-HDL-C level <130 mg/dl, which is consistent with existing apoB and lipoprotein guidelines. However, during statin therapy, to reach an apoB target of <90 mg/dl it was necessary to reduce non-HDL-C to <100 mg/dl or to reduce LDL-C to <70 mg/dl (in high-triglyceride patients) or <80 mg/dl (in lower-triglyceride patients). The tight correlation seen for non-HDL-C with apoB while on statin therapy (R(2) = 0.92) implies that non-HDL-C may be an acceptable surrogate for direct apoB measurement.


CONCLUSIONS
These data are consistent with the more aggressive cholesterol goals suggested for CHD patients, because achieving such targets also reduced apoB to the recommended level. (Mercury II-Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Lipid Lowering Agents Atorvastatin and Simvastatin With Rosuvastatin in High Risk Subjects With Type IIa and IIb Hypercholesterolemia; NCT00654407).
Ballantyne
Christie M
CM
Baylor College of Medicine and the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. cmb@bcm.edu
Raichlen
Joel S
JS
Cain
Valerie A
VA
D000368:Aged; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D011758:Pyrroles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin