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[Gemfibrozil reduces elevated lipoprotein (a) levels in hypercholesterolemic patients]
J A Ramires1, A C Spósito, A P Mansur
1Instituto do Coração, Hospital das Clínicas, FMUSP.
Purpose:
To compare the effects of gemfibrozil and lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and increased lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels.
Methods:
Twenty-seven subjects with total cholesterol (TC) > 240 mg/dL, LDL-C > 160 mg/dL and Lp(a) > 25 mg/dL were studied. Patients were randomized to receive gemfibrozil 1200 mg/day, (n = 14, 54 +/- 7 years) or lovastatin 40-80 mg at night (n = 13, 55 +/- 9 years) for 12 weeks. Lipid profile and Lp(a) were determined at 4 and 12 weeks of treatment.
Results:
Gemfibrozil reduced TC (-21%), LDL-C (-26%), triglycerides (TG)(-48%) and Lp(a) (-25%), increased HDL-C (+48%)(p < 0.001). Lovastatin reduced TC (-29%), LDL-C (-37%) and TG (-25%) (p < 0.001) however, it did not affect Lp(a).
Conclusion:
Besides reducing plasma LDL-C, TG and increasing HDL-C, gemfibrozil effectively lowers Lp(a) levels. Lovastatin did not affect Lp(a) levels.