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[Gemfibrozil in the elderly. Effects on lipid metabolism]
1Lehrstuhl Innere Medizin-Gerontologie, Institut für Gerontologie, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
Fortschritte Der Medizin
|May 10, 1996
Summary
Gemfibrozil significantly reduced plasma triglyceride and phospholipid levels in patients with mixed hyperlipidemia. Elderly patients, particularly those with diabetes, showed more pronounced improvements with this lipid-lowering agent.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Context:
- Mixed hyperlipidemia type IIb is a common condition characterized by elevated triglycerides and phospholipids.
- Gemfibrozil is a lipid-lowering agent used to manage dyslipidemia.
- Age and comorbidities like diabetes can influence lipid metabolism and drug response.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy of gemfibrozil in treating mixed hyperlipidemia type IIb.
- To compare the therapeutic effects of gemfibrozil in younger and elderly hyperlipidemic patients.
- To investigate the impact of gemfibrozil on plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and fatty acid composition.
Summary:
- A two-week treatment with gemfibrozil (900 mg/day) significantly decreased plasma triglyceride and phospholipid levels in twenty patients with mixed hyperlipidemia type IIb.
- Therapeutic effects were more pronounced in elderly female patients, many with diabetes, compared to younger male patients.
- Gemfibrozil normalized elevated plasma free fatty acids in geriatrics and reduced long-chain saturated fatty acids in phospholipids, suggesting impaired hepatic fatty acid chain elongation.
Impact:
- Gemfibrozil demonstrates significant efficacy in managing mixed hyperlipidemia type IIb, with enhanced effects in the elderly.
- The findings provide insights into age-related differences in lipid-lowering drug response.
- This study highlights gemfibrozil's potential role in managing dyslipidemia, especially in vulnerable elderly populations with comorbidities.