[Randomized comparative study on the lipid lowering effects of Zhikang Granule and simvastatin].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the lipid lowering effects of Zhikang Granule (ZKG) and simvastatin.


METHODS
Forty-five out-patients with hyperlipemia who met the entry criteria were enrolled and randomized into two groups in the ratio of 2: 1, 30 patients in the ZKG group and 15 patients in the simvastatin group. The lipid lowering effects and safety of treatment during the 24-week therapeutic period, as well as the influence of treatment on plasma high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) level in patients were observed.


RESULTS
No significant difference between the two groups was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) at the 4th, 8th, 12th and 24th week (P > 0.05). However, as compared with baseline, significant reduction of TC and LDL-C in both groups was shown at all the observing time points (P < 0.01), while the changes in TG and HDL-C were insignificant (P > 0.05). The control rates of LDL-C and TC in the ZKG group and the simvastatin group were 86.7% (26/30) versus 100% (15/15) at the 4th week, 80.0% (24/30) versus 100% (15/15) at the 8th week, 53.3% (16/30) versus 60.0% (9/15) at the 12th week, and 90.0% (27/30) versus 93.3% (14/15) at the 24th week, respectively, all showed insignificant difference between groups. No statistical differences were found between groups in levels of plasma transaminase, creatinine, uric acid and hs-CRP (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
ZKG has a definite effect in lowering LDL-C and TC, and it is safe in long-term administration.
Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing. xahappysea@yahoo.com.cn
Fu-Hai
FH
Zhao
Guo-Bing
GB
Liu
Shu-Zheng
SZ
Lu
D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D019821:Simvastatin