Source: DGNews  |  Posted 4 years ago

By Thomas S. May

HELSINKI, FINLAND -- June 11, 2007 -- Ezetimibe, a drug that blocks the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract, reduces total, LDL, and non-HDL cholesterol levels, as well as apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) concentrations, thereby improving the cardiovascular (CVD) risk profile of patients with primary dyslipidaemia, according to a study presented here at the 76th Congress of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS).

"Experimental and clinical studies have shown that small, dense LDL subfractions are more atherogenic than the large, buoyant ones," said senior study author Moses Elisaf, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine, University Of Ioannina Medical School, Ioannina, Greece. "Consequently, the assessment of lipoprotein subfraction profile may provide valuable information for the determination of total cardiovascular risk," he added. "In addition, the knowledge of the impact of various interventions, such as ezetimibe treatment, on these parameters could substantially contribute to the efficacy of therapeutic strategies."

To evaluate the effect of ezetimibe on lipoprotein profile, the investigators measured individual lipoprotein subfractions in a group of 50 patients with primary dyslipidaemias in response to ezetimibe administration.

The researchers found that ezetimibe reduced total, LDL and non-HDL-cholesterol levels, as well as Apo-B concentrations. A detailed analysis of the data showed that the reduction in LDL values was due to a decrease in the concentrations of all LDL subfractions; however, a decrease in the concentrations of dense LDL subfractions was more pronounced.

Ezetimibe also resulted in a decrease in the concentrations of HDL-cholesterol. This decrease was mainly due to a drop in the concentrations of dense HDL subfractions.

These results indicate that ezetimibe can favourably affect the distribution of LDL subfractions, especially in patients with elevated triglyceride values, the researchers concluded. "Further studies are needed to clarify the significance of the ezetimibe-induced reductions in the concentrations of dense HDL particles," they added.

[[]Presentation title:[] []Effect of Ezetimibe on Lipoprotein Subfractions in Patients with Primary Dyslipidemias. Abstract P726[]]