Treatment Effect of Niaspan, a Controlled-release Niacin, in Patients with Hypercholesterolemia: A Placebo-controlled Trial

1996 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Morgan ◽  
David M. Capuzzi ◽  
John R. Guyton ◽  
Robert M. Centor ◽  
Ronald Goldberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Density Lipoprotein ◽  
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Serum Lipoprotein ◽  
High Density ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Cholesterol Levels

Background The present study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of Niaspan (Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Hollywood, FL), a new controlled-release formulation of niacin, in the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia, the occurrence and severity of flushing events, and potential adverse effects, particularly hepatotoxicity. Methods and Results The study was conducted as a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel comparison of Niaspan in doses of 1000 mg/day and 2000 mg/day, administered once a day at bedtime. One hundred twenty-two patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels > 4.14 mM/L (160 mg/dL) with dietary intervention and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤ 1.81 mM/L (70 mg/dL) were randomized to one of three treatment groups: placebo, and 1000 mg/day or 2000 mg/day of Niaspan. Safety and efficacy measures included 12-hour serum fasting lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, serum analyte levels for major organ function, flushing diaries, and adverse event records. The placebo group demonstrated no significant changes in serum lipoprotein concentrations over the treatment period of 12 weeks, except for a slight 4% increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Niaspan significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 6% and 14% for the 1000 mg/day and 2000 mg/day doses, respectively. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels rose significantly, with a 17% increase occurring at the 1000 mg/day dose and a 23% increase occurring at the 2000 mg/day dose. Niaspan (2000 mg/day) produced significant decreases of 27% and 29%, respectively, for serum lipoprotein(a) and triglyceride concentration. Although the incidence of flushing was significant, these episodes were generally well tolerated. Conclusion Niaspan administered in doses of 1000 mg/day and 2000 mg/day at bedtime were well tolerated with few side effects and produced favorable effects on the major circulating lipoproteins of patients with primary dyslipidemias as specified by the enrollment criteria.

Is There Evidence-based Hypolipidemic Treatment with Clinical Benefit beyond Statins?

Angiology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgios S. Goumas
Keyword(s):  
High Density Lipoprotein ◽  
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
High Density ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Cholesterol Levels

Aggressive therapy with statins to lower the low density lipoprotein cholesterol decreases cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, administration of the highest approved statin dose only offers limited additional benefit at the expense of an increased incidence of side effects. Therefore, novel compounds that further reduce the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and at the same time have beneficial effects on other lipid parameters when added to statin therapy are under investigation. Nicotinic acid lowers the levels of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides while raising the concentration of the protective high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. A significant inverse association exists between long-term intake of ω-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular mortality; these fish oils lower serum triglycerides levels. Fibrates substantially decrease triglycerides, increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and modestly decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Ezetimibe selectively inhibits cholesterol absorption in the gut. Combined therapy with ezetimibe and a statin provides an incremental reduction in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

The Effects of Low-Density Lipoprotein and High-Density Lipoprotein on Blood Viscosity Correlate with their Association with Risk of Atherosclerosis in Humans

1997 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory D. Sloop ◽  
David W. Garber
Keyword(s):  
High Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Total Cholesterol ◽  
High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Blood Viscosity ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
High Density ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol

1. Increased blood or plasma viscosity has been observed in almost all conditions associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Cognizant of the enlarging body of evidence implicating increased viscosity in atherogenesis, we hypothesize that the effects of low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein on blood viscosity correlate with their association with risk of atherosclerosis. 2. Blood viscometry was performed on samples from 28 healthy, non-fasting adult volunteers using a capillary viscometer. Data were correlated with haematocrit, fibrinogen, serum viscosity, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides and calculated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. 3. Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was more strongly correlated with blood viscosity than was total cholesterol (r = 0.4149, P = 0.0281, compared with r = 0.2790, P = 0.1505). High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were inversely associated with blood viscosity (r = −0.4018, P = 0.0341). 4. To confirm these effects, viscometry was performed on erythrocytes, suspended in saline, which had been incubated in plasma of various low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratios. Viscosity correlated directly with low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratio (n = 23, r = 0.8561, P < 0.01). 5. Low-density lipoprotein receptor occupancy data suggests that these effects on viscosity are mediated by erythrocyte aggregation. 6. These results demonstrate that the effects of low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein on blood viscosity in healthy subjects correlate with their association with risk of atherosclerosis. These effects on viscosity may play a role in atherogenesis by modulating the dwell or residence time of atherogenic particles in the vicinity of the endothelium.

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