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Effect of atorvastatin on low-density lipoprotein subpopulations and comparison between indicators of plasma

Marek Kucera1, Stanislav Oravec2, Eva Hirnerova2

  • 12nd Medical Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia marekucera@gmail.com.

Angiology
|October 29, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Atorvastatin treatment in hypercholesterolemia patients significantly reduced LDL-C and shifted small, dense LDL subfractions to larger, buoyant ones. This suggests atorvastatin improves atherogenic profiles beyond standard lipid reduction.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Statin therapy for hypercholesterolemia leaves residual cardiovascular risk.
  • Lipoprotein subfractions offer deeper insights into atherogenicity.
  • Small, dense LDL (sdLDL) particles are particularly atherogenic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on LDL-C and lipoprotein subfractions in hypercholesterolemia patients.
  • To assess changes in atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and its correlation with LDL subfractions.

Main Methods:

  • 40 hypercholesterolemia patients (no prior lipid-lowering treatment) received atorvastatin 40 mg/d for 3 months.
  • Measurements included total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, sdLDL, apolipoprotein B (apoB), and AIP.
  • Correlations between AIP, sdLDL, and apoB were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Atorvastatin significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, sdLDL, and apoB.
  • A significant shift from small, dense LDL subfractions (3-7) to larger, buoyant LDL subfractions was observed.
  • AIP showed a stronger correlation with sdLDL levels than with apoB levels.

Conclusions:

  • Atorvastatin 40 mg/d effectively improves lipid profiles and favorably alters LDL subfraction distribution in hypercholesterolemia.
  • The shift towards larger, buoyant LDL particles and changes in AIP suggest a reduced atherogenic potential.
  • Lipoprotein subfraction analysis provides valuable information on the comprehensive effects of statin therapy.

Keywords:
apolipoprotein Batherogenic dyslipidemiaatherogenic index of plasmaatorvastatincardiovascular risksmall-dense LDL

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