Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
09:15
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Cholesterol reduction yields clinical benefits: meta-analysis including recent trials
A Lawrence Gould1, Glenn M Davies1, Evo Alemao2
1Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, Pennsylvania, USA.
Clinical Therapeutics
|August 19, 2007
Summary
Lowering cholesterol significantly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality and all-cause mortality. These findings confirm that lipid-lowering therapies are clinically beneficial for patients with or at risk for CHD.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Previous meta-analyses indicated that a 10% decrease in total cholesterol (TC) reduced coronary heart disease (CHD)-related mortality by 15% and all-cause mortality by 11%.
- The current analysis incorporates recent clinical trial data to provide updated insights into cholesterol-lowering effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of cholesterol reduction on clinical events, including mortality and cardiovascular events.
- To assess the effects of lipid-modifying therapies on CHD end points.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1999-2005, focusing on lipid-modifying therapies and CHD end points.
- Included studies assessed effects on CHD-related death, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris, incorporating data from a prior meta-analysis.
- Analyzed the relative risks (RRs) for mortality and CHD events associated with net absolute reductions in TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).
Main Results:
- The analysis encompassed 62 studies with 216,616 patients, including 24 recent RCTs.
- A 1-mmol/L decrease in TC correlated with a 17.5% reduction in all-cause mortality, 24.5% in CHD-related mortality, and 29.5% in any CHD event.
- A 1-mmol/L decrease in LDL-C showed corresponding reductions of 15.6% for all-cause mortality, 28.0% for CHD-related mortality, and 26.6% for any CHD event.
Conclusions:
- Cholesterol lowering demonstrates clear clinical benefits for patients with CHD or at elevated risk.
- The findings reinforce that lipid reduction is not significantly associated with non-CHD-related mortality risk.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
Considering cholesterol and...
01:16Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are prospective experimental studies conducted on humans to determine the safety and efficacy of treatments, drugs, diet methods, and medical devices. Using statistics in clinical trials enables researchers to derive reasonable and accurate conclusions from the collected data, allowing them to make wise decisions in uncertain situations. In medical research, statistical methods are crucial for preventing errors and bias.
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ meats, shellfish,...
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast, controlled...