A modified sodium dodecyl sulphate-agarose gel/immunoblotting method for apolipoprotein(a) phenotyping using alkaline phosphatase-linked chemiluminescent detection.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
E D Janus
Publications and source records attributed to E D Janus.
Frequency distributions of plasma apolipoprotein(a) levels and phenotypes: a comparison between southern and northern Chinese populations.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to examine the genetic variation and levels of apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)] in Chinese living in two different geographical regions of China and the influence of the apo(a) size polymorphism on plasma apo(a) levels. METHODS: An immunoradiometric assay was used to determine plasma apo(a) levels and a simplified and sensitive SDS-agarose gel electrophoresis method followed by immunoblotting with chemiluminescent detection for apo(a) phenotyping was employed to compare the frequency distributions of apo(a) levels and phenotypes in southern (Hong Kong) and northern (Henan) Chinese populations. RESULTS: Distributions of plasma apo(a) levels were highly skewed in both population groups. Although plasma apo(a) levels were generally higher in northern Chinese than in southern Chinese this was not explained by differences in K-IV repeats allele frequencies between these two population groups. The association of K-IV repeat length with apo(a) levels is similar in the two populations. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that besides the apo(a) size polymorphism, which is similar in these two Chinese populations, other factors affect apo(a) levels to a certain degree. Most likely, this is the sequence variation in apo(a) gene which may not be the same in different Chinese populations.
Adult↗
The modernization of Asia. Implications for coronary heart disease. Council on Arteriosclerosis of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology.
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Asia↗
Kinetic characterisation of alpha-1-antitrypsin F as an inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase.
Patients homozygous for the Z allele of alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha 1AT) have very low serum levels and are predisposed to emphysema. There have also been reports of emphysema being associated with the heterozygous phenotype FZ. To investigate whether F alpha 1AT was dysfunctional, the inhibitory activity of F alpha 1AT against human neutrophil elastase (HNE) was compared with that of common alpha 1AT phenotypes. Time-dependent inhibition of HNE by alpha 1AT was used to calculate the association rate constant (k assoc) for M, MZ, FM, FZ, F (partially purified from FZ or FS), Z and S alpha 1AT phenotypes in human sera. The results for k assoc at 25 degrees C were 9.1 (SD 0.9), 9.7 (SD 0.9), 8.0 (SD 0.8), 4.0 (SD 0.4), 4.2 (SD 0.8), 5.1 (SD 0.6) and 8.6 (SD 0.6) x 10(6) M-1s-1 respectively. F was found to have reduced activity much like that of Z, the alpha 1AT most commonly associated with emphysema. MZ (low risk for disease) and FZ heterozygotes had similar intermediate alpha 1AT levels. However the in vivo inhibition time for FZ was almost three times longer than for MZ, indicating greater exposure to proteolytic damage from free elastase for FZ than MZ individuals. In conclusion, F alpha 1AT is expressed in serum at low normal levels but is dysfunctional in its ability to inhibit HNE. Individuals who coinherit the F and a deficiency allele such as Z or Null, are likely to have a high risk for the development of emphysema. The disease risk for F homozygotes remains to be determined.
Adult↗
Thyroid dysfunction in ambulatory elderly Chinese subjects in an area of borderline iodine intake.
Thyroid dysfunction has been reported to occur in 10% of the elderly population in Caucasians. As the nature and prevalence vary tremendously between ethnic groups, and no data are available for Chinese, a primary thyrotropin (TSH) screening program using a supersensitive TSH assay was performed on 1880 ambulatory elderly southern Chinese aged above 60 in Hong Kong, an area of borderline iodine intake. Full thyroid function testing was performed on 600 randomly selected samples with normal TSH values and also on subjects with abnormal TSH levels. The results showed that TSH decreased with age in women (p < 0.05) but not in men. The median values for TSH for women 60-69, 70-79, and > 80 years old were 1.40, 1.30, and 1.20, respectively, while for men it was 1.30 mIU/L. Elevated TSH values (> 5.0 mIU/L) were found in 19 (1.0%) while suppressed TSH values (< 0.1 mIU/L) were present in 28 (1.5%) subjects. Biochemical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were present in 3 and 12 subjects, respectively. Two-thirds of the subjects with abnormal TSH values had antithyroid antibodies. Full assessment of the 600 subjects revealed the prevalence rates for antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase antibody of 10.2 and 11.2%, respectively. Those who were positive for antithyroid antibodies had significantly higher TSH levels (p < 0.005). Free T4 decreased (p < 0.01) while free T3 increased (p < 0.001) with age in the females resulting in higher free T3/free T4 ratio with aging (p < 0.001). This, however, was not seen in the males. In conclusion, thyroid dysfunction in elderly Chinese occurs predominantly in the female. The cause could be explained by both autoimmune thyroid disease as well as iodine insufficiency.
Aged↗
Apolipoprotein (a) levels and phenotypes in NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria and albuminuria.
This study was conducted to determine whether circulating levels of lipoprotein (a), an independent risk factor of macrovascular disease, are increased in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with microalbuminuria who have an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. Apolipoprotein (a) [apo(a)] levels and phenotypes, and other circulating lipid levels were determined in 227 Chinese NIDDM patients with varying stages of diabetic nephropathy. None was on lipid-lowering therapy. Apo(a) levels in normoalbuminuric (geometric mean 166 U/L; 95% confidence intervals 137, 200; n = 105) and microalbuminuric patients (162; 132, 209; n = 77) were similar to values in controls (166; 143, 193, n = 168). Albuminuric patients, however, had higher apo(a) levels than both normoalbuminuric patients and controls (242; 184, 317; n = 45; P < 0.05). The overall size range of the apo(a) phenotypes and the frequency of having at least one small isoform, i.e. < 700 kDa, were similar among the four groups of subjects. A positive correlation was found between log apo(a) and log plasma creatinine levels (P < 0.01). Compared to normoalbuminuric patients, both microalbuminuric and albuminuric patients were older (P < 0.01) and had higher HbA1c (P < 0.01), greater BMI (P < 0.05) and longer disease duration (P < 0.05) compared to normoalbuminuric patients. Nevertheless, using multiple linear regression analysis, it was found that the presence of nephropathy conferred an independent influence on increasing total cholesterol (P < 0.001), triglyceride (P < 0.001) and apoB (P < 0.01), and decreasing HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05) levels even when only the normoalbuminuric and microalbuminuric groups were analysed. The prevalence of macrovascular disease was significantly increased in microalbuminuric and albuminuric patients (45.1 and 48.7% respectively vs 20.2% in normoalbuminuric patients, P < 0.01). It is concluded that circulating apo(a) levels were not increased in Chinese NIDDM patients with microalbuminuria. However, atherogenic changes in other lipid and lipoprotein levels may contribute to an increased risk of macrovascular disease in these patients.
Adult↗
Frequency distributions of apolipoprotein(a) kringle IV repeat alleles and their effects on lipoprotein(a) levels in Caucasian, Asian, and African populations: the distribution of null alleles is non-random.
A size polymorphism (K IV VNTR) and largely unknown sequence variation in the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] gene on chromosome 6q26-q27 together determine most of the extreme variation in apo(a) glycoprotein expression and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] plasma concentration in Caucasians. We have determined Lp(a) plasma concentrations, the number of kringle IV (K IV) repeats in the apo(a) gene and the expression of the apo(a) glycoprotein in four ethnic groups (Khoi San, South African Blacks, Hong Kong Chinese and Caucasians from the Tyrol, total n = 788). The distributions of Lp(a) concentrations, the frequencies of expressed and non-expressed apo(a) K IV alleles, and the impact of the size polymorphism on Lp(a) concentrations were all heterogeneous across populations. In contrast, the effect of the K IV repeat alleles appeared homogeneous. Lp(a) concentrations were higher in Africans and Chinese than in Caucasians, but this was not explained by differences in K IV repeat allele frequencies among populations. Lp(a) concentrations were highest in Khoi San, suggesting that high Lp(a) is an old African trait. When expressed as Spearman rank correlations the impact of the size polymorphism was smallest in African Blacks (R = -0.386) and largest in the Chinese (R = -0.692). In all four populations, the distribution of non-expressed apo(a) alleles was non-random. Rather they were significantly associated with distinct size alleles and overall positively with high K IV repeat numbers. The negative correlation of K IV repeat length with Lp(a) concentration was non-linear in Khoi San and the average apo(a)-size-allele-associated Lp(a) concentrations were markedly different between all populations. We conclude that besides the apo(a) size variation, other factors affect Lp(a) concentrations to different degrees in the study populations. Most likely, this is sequence variation in apo(a) which is not the same in the different ethnic groups.
Adult↗
Cholesterol-lowering therapy may retard the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
There is experimental evidence to suggest that hypercholesterolaemia may play a pathogenetic role in progressive glomerular injury. We investigated the effect of cholesterol-lowering therapy on the progression of diabetic nephropathy in 34 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Patients were randomly assigned in a single-blind fashion to treatment with either lovastatin, an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (n = 16; mean dose 30.0 +/- 12.6 mg/day) or placebo (n = 18) for 2 years. Renal function was assessed by serially measuring the serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (using Cr51-EDTA), and 24-h urinary protein excretion. Lovastatin treatment was associated with significant reductions in total cholesterol (p < 0.001), LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) and apo B (p < 0.01), the reductions at 24 months being 26, 30 and 18%, respectively. Beneficial effects on serum triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and apo A1 levels were also observed. Lp(a) showed no significant change in both groups. Glomerular filtration rate deteriorated significantly in the placebo group after 24 months (p < 0.025) but showed no significant change in the lovastatin-treated patients. The increase in serum creatinine was statistically significant (p < 0.02) in placebo-treated patients at 12 and 24 months, and in the lovastatin group after 24 months. Twenty-four hour urinary protein excretion increased in both groups (p < 0.05). Lovastatin treatment was not associated with significant elevations in liver or muscle enzymes. We conclude that effective normalisation of hypercholesterolaemia may retard the progression of diabetic nephropathy.
Anticholesteremic Agents↗
Elevated serum lipoprotein(a) in subclinical hypothyroidism.
OBJECTIVES: Asymptomatic lymphocytic thyroiditis and subclinical hypothyroidism are associated with increased risk for coronary artery disease. The present study aimed at evaluating serum lipoprotein(a)(Lp(a)), measured as apo(a), and other lipid parameters in 32 subjects with asymptomatic subclinical hypothyroidism. SUBJECTS: Thirty-two Chinese subjects with asymptomatic subclinical hypothyroidism were compared to 96 age and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Subclinical hypothyroid patients had higher (P < 0.005) apo(a), total triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) but lower (P < 0.05) high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels compared with sex and age-matched controls (apo(a) 296 (48-1650) vs 182 (19-1952 U/l), geometric mean (range); TG 1.86 +/- 0.94 vs 1.33 +/- 0.74 mmol/l (mean +/- SD); TC 6.10 +/- 1.17 vs 5.42 +/- 1.13 mmol/l; LDL-C 4.10 +/- 1.00 vs 3.49 +/- 0.96 mmol/l; HDL-C 1.15 +/- 0.40 vs 1.34 +/- 0.40 mmol/l, respectively). APo A-I and apo B were also higher than controls (1.96 +/- 0.48 vs 1.48 +/ 0.29 g/l and 1.44 +/- 0.42 vs 1.05 +/- 0.29 g/l, respectively). Total cholesterol/HDL ratio and LDL/HDL ratio were also elevated in these subjects (5.77 +/- 1.96 vs 4.28 +/- 1.19 and 3.89 +/- 1.41 vs 2.79 +/- 0.97, respectively, both P < 0.0005). Individual analysis revealed that 16 (50%) subjects had hyperlipoproteinaemia (TC > 5.2 mmol/l in 10; TC > 5.2 mmol/l and TG > 2.3 mmol in six) as compared to 21(20.8%) in the control group (P < 0.005). Subjects with TSH > or = 11.0 mIU/l had significantly higher TC/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios. A significant correlation was observed between TSH levels and TC/HDL ratios (r = 0.455, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated not only with elevated LDL-cholesterol levels and low HDL-cholesterol levels but also with elevated lipoprotein (a). This may further increase the risk development of atherosclerosis.
Adult↗
Magnetic resonance imaging of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis.
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis is a rare familial sterol storage disease with accumulation of cholestanol and cholesterol particularly in xanthomas, bile and brain. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful modality for imaging the affected tissues. It contributes to the evaluation and management of the disease.
Brain↗
Alpha-1-antitrypsin PLowell: a normally functioning variant present in low concentration.
BACKGROUND: Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is associated with a high risk for the development of emphysema, particularly for phenotype Pi ZZ, which is both deficient and an abnormal inhibitor of the powerful proteolytic enzyme, human neutrophil elastase. The rare variant PLowell is also expressed at abnormally low levels, but its anti-elastase activity has not been described. AIM: To study the anti-elastase activity of alpha-1-antitrypsin PLowell and compare it to the common M, S and Z proteins. METHOD: Alpha-1-antitrypsin from a female patient aged 75 years with the rare genotype PLowell NullBellingham was studied for its ability to inhibit human neutrophil elastase in a time dependent manner. RESULTS: PLowell has near normal function as an inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase with an association rate constant of 7.4 x 10(6) M-1 S-1 at 25 degrees C, similar to that of M and S. CONCLUSION: Alpha-1-antitrypsin PLowell is associated with a severe deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin similar to Z, but unlike that protein it has near normal function as an anti-elastase.
Aged↗
Changes in serum lipoprotein(a) and lipids during treatment of hyperthyroidism.
Because of suggestions that thyroid hormones modulate serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration, we evaluated prospectively the serial changes of serum Lp(a), measured as apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)], and other lipoproteins in 40 subjects with hyperthyroidism treated with radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. Hyperthyroid patients had lower (P < 0.001) concentrations of apo(a), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and apo B, but higher apo A-I concentrations compared with age-matched controls [geometric mean (range)]; apo(a) 81 (17-614) vs 187 (17-1808 IU/L): TC 4.07 +/- 0.8 vs 5.22 +/- 1.00 mmol/L (mean +/- SD); LDL-C 2.47 +/- 0.89 vs 3.40 +/- 0.88 mmol/L; HDL-C 1.05 +/- 0.33 vs 1.24 +/- 0.34 mmol/L; apo B 0.66 +/- 0.23 vs 1.13 +/- 0.34 g/L, and apo A-I 2.07 +/- 0.42 vs 1.46 +/- 0.28 g/L, respectively. Euthyroidism was associated with normalization of serum TC, LDL-C, and apo B within 1 month of treatment. However, apo(a) required 4 months to normalize, and HDL-C and apo A-I were still abnormal 6 months after RAI. Serum apo(a), TC, LDL-C, and apo B were negatively correlated with serum thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine index, and triiodothyronine (T3) and positively correlated with thyrotropin during the transitional period from hyperthyroidism to euthyroidism. Parallel changes of these lipoproteins and thyroid hormones were also observed after treatment of hyperthyroidism. In conclusion, thyroid hormones do modulate lipoproteins, particularly Lp(a). The delay in normalization of apo(a) but not LDL suggests an effect on apo(a) production rather than on LDL removal.
Adult↗
Homozygous Tangier disease and cardiovascular disease.
Decreased levels of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol have been associated with premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). Tangier disease is an autosomal co-dominant disorder in which homozygotes have a marked deficiency of HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I levels (both < 10 mg/dl), decreased low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels (about 40% of normal), and mild hypertriglyceridemia. Homozygotes develop cholesterol ester deposition in tonsils (orange tonsils), liver, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and Schwann cells. Our purpose was to assess the prevalence of CVD in Tangier disease. We reviewed published clinical information on 51 cases of homozygous Tangier disease, report 3 new cases and provide autopsy information on 3 cases. Mean (+/- S.D.) lipid values of all cases were as follows: total cholesterol 68 +/- 30 mg/dl (32% of normal), triglycerides 201 +/- 118 mg/dl (162% of normal), HDL cholesterol 3 +/- 3 mg/dl (6% of normal) and LDL cholesterol 50 +/- 38 mg/dl (37% of normal). The most common clinical finding in these subjects (n = 54) was peripheral neuropathy which was observed in 54% of cases versus < 1% of control subjects (n = 3130). CVD was observed in 20% of Tangier patients versus 5% of controls (P < 0.05), and in those that were between 35 and 65 years of age, 44% (11 of 25) had evidence of CVD (either angina, myocardial infarction or stroke) versus 6.5% in 1533 male controls and 3.2% in 1597 female controls in this age group (P < 0.01). In 9 patients who died, 2 died prior to age 20 of probable infectious diseases, 3 of documented coronary heart disease at ages 48, 64, and 72, 2 of stroke at ages 56 and 69, one of valvular heart disease, and 1 of cancer. In three autopsy cases, significant diffuse atherosclerosis was observed in one at age 64, moderate atherosclerosis and cerebral infarction in another at age 56, but no atherosclerosis was noted in the third case who died of lymphoma at age 62. In one patient with established coronary heart disease, none of the lipid lowering agents used (niacin, gemfibrozil, estrogen or lovastatin) raised HDL cholesterol levels above 5 mg/dl. However, these agents did have significant effects on lowering triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels. Our data indicate that there may be heterogeneity in these patients with regard to CVD risk, that peripheral neuropathy is a major problem in many patients, and that CVD is a significant clinical problem in middle aged and elderly Tangier homozygotes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Adult↗
Absence of alpha-1-antitrypsin (Pi Null Bellingham) and the early onset of emphysema.
BACKGROUND: Alpha-1-antitrypsin is the body's major inhibitor of human neutrophil elastase, a powerful proteolytic enzyme capable of degrading the common tissue components. There are over 70 genetic variants of alpha-1-antitrypsin, with the Z allele being of greatest clinical relevance. Individuals homozygous for this allele (approximately one in 2500 in Caucasians) have low serum alpha-1-antitrypsin levels (10-20% of normal) and are predisposed to emphysema, especially if they smoke. Much rarer are mutations which result in the complete or almost complete absence of alpha-1-antitrypsin in the serum. AIM: To determine the cause of complete absence of alpha-1-antitrypsin in a patient who at age 27 years had both emphysema and idiopathic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: Molecular biology techniques were used to sequence the alpha-1-antitrypsin gene. Allele specific amplification was used to show the presence of the mutations in other family members. RESULTS: Investigation showed that the proband was homozygous for the Pi Null Bellingham variant of alpha-1-antitrypsin due to the mutation Lys 217 (AAG) to Stop (TAG). His grandmother was heterozygous for Pi Null Bellingham and the additional rare variant P Lowell, Asp 256 (GAT) to Val (GTT), a variant that also results in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. CONCLUSION: Patients with complete absence of alpha-1-antitrypsin develop premature emphysema not having smoked or after only minimal exposure, and much earlier than the more common Pi Z individuals who have the usual form of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.
Adult↗
Serum apolipoprotein(a) correlates with growth hormone levels in Chinese patients with acromegaly.
Untreated acromegaly is associated with an increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The contribution of altered lipid metabolism remains unclear. We investigated the relationship between serum apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)) and growth hormone (GH) levels in 15 patients with acromegaly before and during treatment with octreotide, a long-acting somatostatin analogue, 288-600 micrograms/day s.c., for 6 months. Before treatment serum apo(a) was significantly elevated in acromegalic patients (geometric mean being 323 U/l vs. 142 U/l in controls (n = 92; P < 0.01)). Octreotide treatment resulted in significant reductions in serum apo(a) concentration (F = 7.22; P < 0.01; geometric mean being 232 U/l and 248 U/l at 3 months and 6 months respectively) and apo(a) concentrations on treatment were not significantly different from control values. There were significant reductions in serum GH (F = 7.30; P < 0.01), insulin growth factor 1 (IGF1) (F = 31.4, P < 0.001) and insulin (F = 4.57; P < 0.05) concentrations. Plasma glycosylated haemoglobin levels were unchanged. Apo(a) levels correlated with serum GH (r = 0.450; P < 0.01) but showed no correlation with basal insulin concentrations. Serum HDL cholesterol increased on treatment (F = 4.29; P < 0.05). Triglycerides were reduced only in the 12 patients without diabetes mellitus (F = 4.75; P < 0.05). No significant change in LDL cholesterol occurred. Our findings suggest that apo(a) may constitute another cardiovascular risk factor in untreated acromegaly and that GH may be involved in the regulation of circulating apo(a) concentration.
Acromegaly↗
Apolipoprotein(a) and atherogenesis.
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) consists of a unique apolipoprotein, apolipoprotein(a), (apo(a)) linked by a disulphide bridge to apolipoprotein B of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Apo(a) is homologous with plasminogen and exhibits genetic polymorphism with the commoner phenotypes due to larger forms being associated with lower plasma levels and the less common phenotypes associated with smaller forms and higher plasma levels. The later are more common in patients with macrovascular disease. In a study of 6448 patients with established coronary heart disease we found that 43% had apo(a) levels above 300 units/litre and 10% had levels above 1000 units/litre and a geometric mean of 201 units/litre in contrast to 140 normal controls in whom 25% exceeded 300 units/litre, 1% exceeded 1000 units/litre and the geometric mean was 107 units/litre. Amongst patients with cholesterol levels < 5.5 mmol/L undergoing coronary artery surgery were patients with low HDL levels and raised apo(a) levels who would not be identified in screening focusing primarily on total cholesterol. In patients with both insulin dependent and non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus those with microalbuminuria or albuminuria (known to be at high risk for macrovascular disease) had apo(a) levels comparable to non diabetic patients with coronary artery disease while diabetic patients without microalbuminuria had normal levels of apo(a). It is likely that apo(a) has a role in the accelerated macrovascular disease in diabetic patients with renal disease.
Alleles↗
Current issues in the treatment of hyperlipidaemias.
Following the Consensus Conference on Hyperlipidaemia in Canberra in October 1991 that reviewed the evidence for lipid lowering and its effect as primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease PBS guidelines for the use of diet and drugs in management of hyperlipidaemia have been promulgated. The guidelines are summarised in this paper.
Australia↗
Treatment of primary hypercholesterolaemia with pravastatin: efficacy and safety over three years.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of pravastatin over three years of treatment. DESIGN: An open, multicentre randomised study. SETTING: Subjects receiving tertiary care at three hospital lipid clinics. PATIENTS: Subjects with primary hypercholesterolaemia (type IIa) or combined hyperlipidaemia (type IIb), already stabilised on a cholesterol-lowering diet, with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels of greater than 4.7 mmol/L and triglyceride levels of less than 4.5 mmol/L. Sixty-one subjects were randomly assigned to the treatment groups: 60 completed 12 weeks and 46 completed 30-36 months of treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either pravastatin 20 mg/day, pravastatin 40 mg/day or cholestyramine 16 g/day for a period of 12 weeks. Subsequently, dose titration of pravastatin up to 40 mg/day was permitted, if required, and all groups received supplementary therapy with other lipid-lowering drugs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lipids, lipoproteins, haematological and biochemical safety parameters were measured at regular intervals. Adverse events were monitored. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol levels with all treatments over 12 weeks (P < 0.001). The mean reductions (+/- SD) in LDL cholesterol were 26% +/- 14% in the group taking pravastatin 20 mg/day (n = 21), 30% +/- 8% in the group taking pravastatin 40 mg/day (n = 21) and 34% +/- 13% in the group taking resin (n = 18). The percentage changes in LDL cholesterol were independent of age, baseline cholesterol level or lipid phenotype. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were significantly increased, by 8%-18% with all treatments (P < 0.001). Triglyceride levels were reduced by high-dose pravastatin only (7% +/- 29%), but were found to increase with resin (45% +/- 63%). During long-term treatment over 36 months, still greater reductions in total and LDL cholesterol were found in patients taking pravastatin (n = 35), but not in those taking resin (n = 11). There was an apparent decrease in effect beyond 18 months in both groups, possibly related to reduced compliance with diet or cholestyramine intake. Eight subjects allocated to pravastatin and seven allocated to resin withdrew (one and two subjects respectively because of drug-induced adverse events). Adverse events during 12 weeks' monotherapy with pravastatin included central nervous system (CNS) symptoms (12%), gastrointestinal (GIT) symptoms (7%) and an acute hepatitic reaction (one subject). Of those in the resin therapy group, 22% developed GIT symptoms. Myalgia occurred in three subjects using a combination of pravastatin and clofibrate, but this resolved fully upon clofibrate withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Pravastatin was found to be a relatively effective, safe and well tolerated lipid-lowering drug. Still greater LDL reduction was achieved with pravastatin combination therapy and this was essentially maintained over three years.
Adult↗