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Pharmacogenetic study of cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene and simvastatin treatment in hypercholesterolaemic

Katherine Anagnostopoulou1, Genovefa Kolovou, Peggy Kostakou

  • 1Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, 1st Cardiology Department, 356 Sygrou Avenue, 176 74 Athens, Greece.

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|October 13, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) I405V gene polymorphism influences simvastatin effectiveness. Carriers of the I allele show better triglyceride reduction and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increase.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacogenetics
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Lipid Metabolism

Background:

  • Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
  • Statins, like simvastatin, are primary treatments for lowering cholesterol.
  • Genetic variations can influence drug response and efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) gene polymorphisms (I405V and TaqIB) on lipid profiles after simvastatin treatment.
  • To determine if specific CETP genotypes predict differential responses to simvastatin therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Genotyping of 180 hypercholesterolemic patients for CETP I405V and TaqIB polymorphisms.
  • Evaluation of lipid response, including triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, following simvastatin treatment.

Main Results:

  • Sequence variations in the CETP gene significantly affected lipid-lowering treatment outcomes.
  • The I allele of the I405V polymorphism was associated with a greater reduction in TG (p = 0.04).
  • Carriers of the I allele experienced a significant increase in HDL-C levels (p = 0.05) compared to the V allele.

Conclusions:

  • The CETP I405V polymorphism modifies simvastatin's effects on TG reduction and HDL-C elevation.
  • Patients with the I allele demonstrated a better response to simvastatin treatment.
  • Larger studies are recommended to confirm these pharmacogenetic findings.
Abstract

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