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Simvastatin-induced changes in circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein in different types of dyslipidemia

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Pharmacology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana Campus, 68100, Alexandroupolis, Greece

    Anna Tavridou & Vangelis G. Manolopoulos

  2. Lipid Clinic, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece

    Apostolos Efthimiadis & Ioannis Efthimiadis

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  1. Anna Tavridou
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  2. Apostolos Efthimiadis
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  3. Ioannis Efthimiadis
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  4. Vangelis G. Manolopoulos
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Correspondence to Anna Tavridou.

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Tavridou, A., Efthimiadis, A., Efthimiadis, I. et al. Simvastatin-induced changes in circulating oxidized low-density lipoprotein in different types of dyslipidemia. Heart Vessels 25, 288–293 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00380-009-1202-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00380-009-1202-x

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