Add-on ezetimibe reduces small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels without affecting absorption of eicosapentaenoic acid in patients with coronary artery disease: a pilot study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Residual risk of cardiovascular disease from increased small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL)-cholesterol levels and low n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels is a considerable therapeutic issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statins and supplemental eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on sdLDL cholesterol and absorption of EPA in patients with coronary artery disease.

METHODS:

The study population consisted of ten male patients who were concurrently receiving statins and EPA 1,800 mg/day. Serum lipids and PUFAs, including EPA and arachidonic acid, were measured in blood samples collected before ezetimibe (baseline), 4 weeks after starting 10-mg/day ezetimibe, and 4 weeks after discontinuing ezetimibe.

RESULTS:

Ezetimibe significantly decreased sdLDL-cholesterol levels after 4 weeks of treatment (baseline 35 ± 13 mg/dl; treatment 27 ± 9 mg/dl), but the levels returned to baseline after discontinuation of ezetimibe (37 ± 13 mg/dl). The concentration of EPA did not significantly change during the study.

CONCLUSION:

Ezetimibe shows great promise as an add-on therapy to statins to reduce sdLDL-cholesterol-related residual risk of cardiovascular disease without affecting absorption of supplemental EPA in patients with coronary artery disease.

• Authors: Motoki Kubo, Toru Miyoshi, Tomonari Kimura, Yoko Noda, Kunihisa Kohno, Kazufumi Nakamura, Hiroshi Morita, Hiroshi Ito
• Journal: American journal of cardiovascular drugs : drugs, devices, and other interventions (Am J Cardiovasc Drugs) Vol. 14 Issue 5 Pg. 387-92 (Oct 2014) ISSN: 1179-187X [Electronic] New Zealand
• PMID: 24915983 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anticholesteremic Agents
• Azetidines
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid
• Ezetimibe

Topics

• Aged
• Anticholesteremic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Azetidines (therapeutic use)
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Coronary Artery Disease (blood, drug therapy)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (pharmacokinetics)
• Ezetimibe
• Humans
• Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Intestinal Absorption (drug effects)
• Male
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies