title: The effects of ezetimibe/simvastatin versus simvastatin monotherapy on platelet and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study of 15 aspirin-naive patients (mean age 48.8 ± 10.2 years) with the metabolic syndrome, statin monotherapy (simvastatin 40 mg daily) was compared to combination therapy (simvastatin 40 mg and ezetimibe 10 mg daily) on biomarkers of inflammation and platelet activity. The addition of ezetimibe to simvastatin over a 4-week period was associated with reduced expression of CD141 (thrombomodulin; p = 0.02), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (p < 0.0001) and CD51/61 (vitronectin receptor; p = 0.048) compared to statin monotherapy. Ezetimibe added to simvastatin improves several indices of platelet reactivity beyond statin monotherapy. However, the clinical relevance of these findings await results of the IMPROVE-IT trial (Improved Reduction of Outcomes: Vytorin Efficacy International Trial).
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. mmiller@medicine.umaryland.edu
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Miller
authors: James J
authors: JJ
authors: DiNicolantonio
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Can
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Grice
authors: Abigail
authors: A
authors: Damoulakis
authors: Victor L
authors: VL
authors: Serebruany
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001384:Azetidines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000069499:Ezetimibe, Simvastatin Drug Combination; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D001384:Azetidines; D015415:Biomarkers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D000069499:Ezetimibe, Simvastatin Drug Combination; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008055:Lipids; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D019821:Simvastatin