[Iatropathogenic effect of Mevacor on vitamin D metabolism]

The authors examined 18 heterozygotes with familial hypercholesterolaemia and assessed vitamin D metabolites, parameters of phosphocalcium homeostasis and blood lipids. They investigated the effect of the hypolipidaemic drug lovastatin (Mevacor, Merck, Sharpe Dohme, tbl. 20 mg) on the vitamin D metabolism, using increasing doses of 20 to 80 mg per day. They found normal parameters of phosphocalcium homeostasis, normal plasma concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D but low basal values of 25-dihydroxyvitamin D and elevated plasma levels after three months' treatment with MEVACOR. They confirmed at the same time the hypocholesterolaemic effect of the drug. The authors conclude that heterozygotes with familial hypercholesterolaemia may suffer from vitamin D deficiency and that the positive iatropathogenic effect of MEVACOR, a substance inhibiting the activity of 3 hydroxymethylglutarate coenzyme A reductase can have a supporting effect on the vitamin D homeostasis, in particular in old people with vitamin D deficiency.