Abstract
Background: Patients with elevated levels of serum triglyc‐erides (TG) often have other associated lipid abnormalities (e.g., low levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL‐C]) and are at increased risk of developing coronary heart disease. Although the therapeutic benefits of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) in hypercholesterolemic patients have been well established, less is known about the effects of statins in patient populations with hypertriglyceridemia.
Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lipoprotein‐altering efficacy of simvastatin in hypertriglyceri‐demic patients.
Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. In all, 195 patients with fasting serum triglyceride levels between 300 and 900 mg/dl received once daily doses of placebo or simvastatin 20,40, or 80 mg for 6 weeks.
Results: Compared with placebo, simvastatin treatment across all doses resulted in significant reductions (p < 0.05–<0.001) in serum levels of triglycerides (‐20 to–31% decrease) and TG‐rich lipoprotein particles. Significant (p< 0.001) reductions were also seen in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (‐25 to‐35%)andnon‐HDL‐C(‐26to‐40%). Levels of HDL‐C were increased (7‐11%) in the simvastatin groups compared with placebo (p < 0.05‐ < 0.001).
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the beneficial effects of simvastatin in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Keywords: simvastatin; hypertriglyceridemia; triglycerides; 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, lipoprotein
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