title: Simvastatin-induced changes in circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein in different types of dyslipidemia.
abstract: Beyond lowering lipid levels, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to possess antioxidant properties, which may explain some of their beneficial effects in reducing atherosclerosis. We sought to determine whether circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) levels differ between subjects with isolated hypercholesterolemia and combined hyperlipidemia, as well as the effect of simvastatin on circulating ox-LDL according to the type of dyslipidemia. Twenty-five subjects with total cholesterol >200 mg/dl and triglycerides <150 mg/dl, and 22 subjects with total cholesterol >200 mg/dl and triglycerides >150 mg/dl were treated with 40 mg simvastatin daily for 3 months. Serum lipids, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, ox-LDL, and free radicals were measured at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. In both groups studied, simvastatin significantly improved lipids, and reduced C-reactive protein and fibrinogen levels. Free radicals were significantly reduced only in subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Subjects with combined hyperlipidemia had significantly higher baseline levels of ox-LDL compared to those with hypercholesterolemia (64.6 U/l vs 53.5 U/l, P = 0.03). Ox-LDL levels were reduced by 12% in subjects with hypercholesterolemia (P = 0.03) and by 26% in subjects with combined hyperlipidemia (P = 0.001) after simvastatin treatment. In conclusion, subjects with combined hyperlipidemia have increased levels of circulating ox-LDL compared to subjects with isolated hypercholesterolemia. Simvastatin significantly reduced circulating ox-LDL in both groups, but whether this reduction is related to clinical outcomes remains to be shown.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana Campus, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece. atavrid@med.duth.gr
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavridou
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Efthimiadis
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Efthimiadis
authors.forename: Vangelis G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Manolopoulos
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000097:blood; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006950:Hyperlipidemia, Familial Combined / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005609:Free Radicals; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D019821:Simvastatin