Effects of ezetimibe add-on therapy for high-risk patients with dyslipidemia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Ezetimibe (Zetia) is a potent inhibitor of cholesterol absorption that has been approved for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Statin, an inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, is the first-choice drug to reduce low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) for patients with hypercholesterolemia, due to its strong effect to lower the circulating LDL-C levels. Because a high dose of statins cause concern about rhabdomyolysis, it is sometimes difficult to achieve the guideline-recommended levels of LDL-C in high-risk patients with hypercholesterolemia treated with statin monotherapy. Ezetimibe has been reported to reduce LDL-C safely with both monotherapy and combination therapy with statins.

RESULTS:

To investigate the effect of ezetimibe as "add-on" therapy to statin on hypercholesterolemia, we examined biomarkers and vascular endothelial function in 14 patients with hypercholesterolemia before and after the 22-week ezetimibe add-on therapy. Ezetimibe add-on therapy reduced LDL-C by 24% compared with baseline (p < 0.005), with 13 patients (93%) reaching their LDL cholesterol goals. Of the Ezetimibe add-on therapy significantly improved not only LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and apolipoprotein (apo)B levels, but also reduced levels of triglyceride (TG), the ratio of LDL/HDL-C, the ratio of apoB/apoA-I, and a biomarker for oxidative stress (d-ROMs). Furthermore, ezetimibe add-on therapy improved vascular endothelial function in high-risk patients with hypercholesterolemia.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, ezetimibe as add-on therapy to statin might be a therapeutic good option for high-risk patients with atherosclerosis.

• Authors: Minako Yamaoka-Tojo, Taiki Tojo, Rie Kosugi, Yuko Hatakeyama, Yuki Yoshida, Yoji Machida, Naoyoshi Aoyama, Takashi Masuda, Tohru Izumi
• Journal: Lipids in health and disease (Lipids Health Dis) Vol. 8 Pg. 41 (Oct 12 2009) ISSN: 1476-511X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19821987 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anticholesteremic Agents
• Apolipoprotein A-I
• Apolipoproteins B
• Azetidines
• Cholesterol, HDL
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Ezetimibe

Topics

• Aged
• Anticholesteremic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Apolipoprotein A-I (blood)
• Apolipoproteins B (blood)
• Azetidines (therapeutic use)
• Cholesterol, HDL (blood)
• Cholesterol, LDL (blood)
• Dyslipidemias (drug therapy)
• Ezetimibe
• Female
• Humans
• Hypercholesterolemia (drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies