阿托伐他汀改善冠心病患者血管内皮功能的临床研究

目的：观察短期阿托伐他汀治疗对高胆固醇血症的冠心病患者血管内皮功能的影响。方法：78例高胆固醇血症患者每日口服阿托伐他汀共8周,服药前后测量患者血清的总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（IDIrC）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）和氧化低密度脂蛋白（ox-LDL）以及NO值,并用彩色多普勒超声测定反应性充血时肱动脉内径的变化。结果：高胆固醇血症患者经阿托伐他汀8周治疗后,血清的TC、TG、LDL-C和ox-LDL明显下降,血清的HDL-C以及NO值明显增加,反应性充血时肱动脉内径扩张程度明显增加,这些与治疗前相比有明显差异。结论：阿托伐他汀治疗能使高胆固醇血症的冠心病患者血脂改变,NO值增加,血管内皮功能改善。     

不同剂量阿托伐他汀对老年急性冠脉综合征患者经PCI术后血清炎症因子水平和内皮功能的影响

目的:探讨不同剂量阿托伐他汀对老年急性冠脉综合征患者经PCI(经皮冠状动脉介入治疗,percutaneous coronary intervention)术后血脂、血清炎症因子水平及血管内皮功能的影响。方法:选取2015年8月至2017年4月我院收治的老年急性冠脉综合征患者80例,依据随机数据表法分为观察组和对照组,每组40例。对照组给予小剂量阿托伐他汀(20 mg/d)治疗,观察组给予大剂量阿托伐他汀(40 mg/d)治疗。比较两组治疗前后总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、甘油三酯(triglyceride,TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low-density lipoprotein,LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high-density lipoprotein,HDL-C)、超敏C反应蛋白(hypersensitive C-reactive protein,hs-CRP)、白介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)及内皮素-1(endothelin-1,ET-1)水平的变化。结果:治疗前,两组血清TC、TG、LDL-C、HDL-C、hs-CRP、IL-6、TNF-α、NO及ET-1水平比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,两组血清TC、TG、LDL-C、hs-CRP、IL-6、TNF-α及ET-1水平与本组治疗前相比均显著性降低,且观察组治疗后血清TC、TG、LDL-C、hs-CRP、IL-6、TNF-α及ET-1的水平均显著低于对照组(P0.05);两组血清HDL-C、NO水平与治疗前相比均显著性升高(P0.05),且观察组治疗后的血清HDL-C、NO水平显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:阿托伐他汀用于经PCI术治疗的老年ACS患者可显著减轻再灌注后的炎症反应,降低血脂水平并改善内皮功能,且大剂量阿托伐他汀的治疗效果明显优于小剂量治疗。     

瑞舒伐他汀对高胆固醇血症患者的降脂疗效及对血管内皮舒张功能 的影响

目的:探讨瑞舒伐他汀对高胆固醇血症患者的降脂疗效及对血管内皮舒张功能(FMD)的影响。方法:选择我院92例高胆固醇血症患者作为实验组并给予瑞舒伐他汀治疗,另选择同期来我院参加健康体检的健康志愿者42例作为对照组,检测治疗前(T0),以及治疗1个月(T1)、2个月后(T2)的血脂水平及肱动脉FMD和非依赖性血管内皮舒张功能(NMD),并对其治疗的不良反应情况进行统计分析。结果:治疗前,实验组患者血浆中TC、TG和LDL-C水平明显高于对照组,而HDL-C水平显著低于对照组,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。相对于T0,实验组患者T1和T2血浆中TC、TG和LDL-C水平明显下降,而HDL-C水平显著升高,且差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。患者T2时血浆中TC和LDL-C水平明显低于T1的水平(P0.05),而TG和HDL-C水平与T1之间的差异无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗前,实验组患者的FMD值明显低于对照组的健康志愿者(P0.05)。经过瑞舒伐他汀干预2个月后,实验组患者T2时FMD值明显高于T0(P0.05),而T2的NMD与T0之间的差异无统计学意义(P0.05);治疗期间并未出现严重的不良反应。结论:瑞舒伐他汀对老年高胆固醇血症患者降脂效果显著,且有改善FMD的作用。     

中西医结合治疗对T2DM合并CHD患者血糖、血脂及血管内皮功能的影响

目的:探讨中西医结合治疗对2型糖尿病(T2DM)合并冠心病(CHD)患者血糖、血脂及血管内皮功能的影响。方法:将120例T2DM合并CHD患者上随机分为研究组与对照组各60例,在原饮食、运动疗法及降压、降糖治疗方案不变的条件下,对照组加用阿托伐他汀钙片治疗,研究组加用阿托伐他汀钙片与降脂通脉胶囊治疗。检测和比较两组治疗前后总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、空腹血糖(FBG)、餐后2h血糖(2h PBG)、一氧化氮(NO)及内皮素(CE)-1水平的变化。结果:两组治疗后FBG、2h PBG水平均较治疗前明显下降(P0.05),而组间比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组治疗后TG、TC、LDL-C水平均较治疗前明显下降(P0.05),HDL-C水平均较治疗前明显升高(P0.05),且研究组TG、TC、LDL-C水平显著低于对照组(P0.05),HDL-C水平显著高于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗后血清NO水平均较治疗前明显升高(P0.05),血清CE水平均较治疗前明显下降(P0.05),且研究组血清NO水平明显高于对照组(P0.05),血清CE水平明显低于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗过程中均未见明显不良反应。结论:降脂通脉胶囊联合阿托伐他汀可显著改善T2DM合并CHD患者的血脂和血管内皮功能,但不会进一步降低血糖。     

不同剂量阿伐他汀联合阿司匹林治疗原发性高血压并动脉粥样硬化的临床研究

目的:探讨不同剂量阿托伐他汀联合阿司匹林治疗原发性高血压并动脉粥样硬化的临床疗效。方法:选取2015年1月-2016年12月在我院治疗的原发性高血压并动脉粥样硬化患者80例,随机分为对照组和实验组,每组40例。实验组给予口服高剂量阿托伐他汀(40 mg/d)联合阿司匹林肠溶片(100 mg/d)治疗,对照组给予口服高剂量阿托伐他汀(20 mg/d)联合阿司匹林肠溶片(100 mg/d)治疗,疗程均为3个月。观察和比较两组患者治疗前后的总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high-density lipoproteincholesterol,HDL-C)、甘油三酯(triglyceride,TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C)、收缩压(systolic blood pressure,SBP)、舒张血压(diastolic blood pressure,DBP)以及颈动脉斑块分级。结果:两组治疗后的SBP、DBP、血清TC、TG和LDL-C水平均较治疗前显著降低,血清HDL-C水平较治疗前明显升高,且实验组SBP、DBP、血清TC、TG和LDL-C水平均显著低于对照组(P0.05),血清HDL-C水平明显高于对照组(P0.05)。实验组颈动脉斑块0-Ⅰ级的比例显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:口服高剂量阿托伐他汀(40 mg/d)联合阿司匹林肠溶片(100 mg/d)治疗原发性高血压并动脉粥样硬化较低剂量阿托伐他汀(20 mg/d)联合阿司匹林肠溶片(100 mg/d)疗效更好,可以有效降低血压,调节血脂并改善患者预后。     

瑞舒伐他汀与阿托伐他汀对冠心病高脂血症患者血脂及血浆ADMA水平的影响

目的:探讨瑞舒伐他汀与阿托伐他汀对冠心病高脂血症患者血脂及血浆不对称二甲基精氨酸(ADMA)水平的影响。方法:选取2016年3月-2017年12月四川大学华西医院收治的冠心病高脂血症患者210例为研究对象,随机分为研究组与对照组,每组各105例,研究组患者给予瑞舒伐他汀治疗,对照组给予阿托伐他汀治疗,均连续治疗8周。比较两组患者治疗前及治疗8周后血脂水平、ADMA水平及血清炎症因子水平、血管内皮功能指标水平,记录两组患者的不良反应发生情况。结果:两组患者治疗前及治疗8周后甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平比较无统计学差异(P0.05),两组患者治疗8周后TG、TC、LDL-C水平均较治疗前降低(P0.05),而HDL-C水平与治疗前相比无统计学差异(P0.05)。两组患者治疗8周后ADMA、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、白介素-6(IL-6)水平均较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗8周后两组患者内皮素-1(ET-1)水平较治疗前降低,一氧化氮(NO)水平较治疗前升高(P0.05),且研究组患者ET-1水平低于对照组,NO水平高于对照组(P0.05)。研究组与对照组患者在治疗期间均未发生难以耐受的不良反应。结论:与阿托伐他汀相比,应用瑞舒伐他汀治疗冠心病高脂血症患者可改善血管内皮功能和TG、TC、LDL-C水平,减轻炎症反应,降低ADMA水平,无严重不良反应发生,值得临床推广。     

阿托伐他汀对急性心肌梗塞患者hs-CRP及血脂水平的影响

目的:研究阿托伐他汀对急性心肌梗塞患者超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及血脂水平的影响。方法:选取2012年1月到2015年1月我院收治的急性心肌梗塞患者80例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为研究组和对照组,每组40例,对照组给予常规治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上给予阿托伐他汀治疗,比较治疗前后两组hs-CRP和总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平。结果:两组治疗后hs-CRP较治疗前显著降低(P0.05),且研究组治疗后hs-CRP显著低于对照组,(P0.05);治疗后两组TC、TG和LDL-C显著低于治疗前,HDL-C显著高于治疗前(P0.05),且治疗后研究组TC、TG和LDL-C显著低于对照组,HDL-C显著高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:阿托伐他汀治疗急性心肌梗塞具有较好的效果,能有效降低hs-CRP水平,改善患者血脂水平。     

不同剂量阿托伐他汀对冠心病患者心功能、血脂及血清TNF-α、ANF水平的影响

目的:探讨不同剂量阿托伐他汀对冠心病患者心功能、血脂及血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、心钠素(ANF)水平的影响。方法:选取2016年1月到2017年1月在我院接受治疗的冠心病患者86例,根据随机数字表法将患者分为观察组和对照组,各43例,对照组给予10 mg剂量的阿托伐他汀进行治疗,观察组给予20 mg剂量的阿托伐他汀进行治疗,两组均治疗6个月。比较两组患者治疗前后的左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、左心房前后径(LAD)、总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、TNF-α、ANF水平。对所有患者进行1年的随访,比较患者出现心肌梗死、心律失常、心源性死亡等心血管事件的情况。结果:治疗后两组的LVEDD、LAD、TC、TG、LDL-C、TNF-α、ANF均显著降低,LVEF、HDL-C显著升高(P0.05),治疗后观察组的LVEDD、LAD、TC、TG、LDL-C、TNF-α、ANF低于对照组,LVEF高于对照组(P0.05)。两组的心血管事件发生率比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:两种剂量的阿托伐他汀均能有效的改善冠心病患者的心功能和血脂,降低患者体内的炎症反应,但20 mg剂量的阿托伐他汀效果更佳。     

小檗碱对动脉粥样硬化形成的抑制作用及机制探讨

目的:研究小檗碱(Berberine)对家兔动脉粥样硬化形成的抑制,并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法:将32只雄性新西兰大白兔随机分为正常组、模型对照组、小檗碱组和阿托伐他汀组,每组各8只。正常组以普通饲料喂养,其余各组高脂喂养,小檗碱组和阿托伐他汀组分别灌胃给予小檗碱(100 mg/kg,1次/d)和阿托伐他汀(5 mg/kg,1次/d),饲养12周。利用全自动生化分析仪测定兔血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平,酶联免疫吸附法测定血清ox-LDL、MCP-1、MMP-9水平。观察斑块破裂和血栓形成情况,并进行苏木素-伊红(HE)染色,测量病变区域内膜与中膜的厚度。结果:小檗碱可显著降低高脂喂养家兔的血清TC、TG、LD-C水平,降低血清血清炎症因子ox-LDL、MCP-1、MMP-9水平(P0.01),与阿托伐他汀组相比无显著性差异。同时小檗碱组的内膜增生程度明显小于模型对照组,和阿托伐他汀组接近。结论:小檗碱可改善动脉粥样硬化病变的程度,抑制斑块的形成,同时降低血清中炎症因子标志物。     

阿托伐他汀联合参松养心胶囊治疗老年心力衰竭患者临床疗效及安全性研究

目的:探讨阿托伐他汀联合参松养心胶囊对老年心力衰竭患者的临床疗效及安全性。方法:选取我院心血管内科治疗的老年慢性心力衰竭患者121例,按治疗药物不同分为两组,对照组46例采用西医常规治疗,研究组75例常规治疗基础上给予阿托伐他汀联合参松养心胶囊治疗,记录两组12个月后的临床疗效,治疗后3、6及12个月后的总胆固醇(Total cholesterol,TC)、甘油三酯(Triglyceride,TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(High density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(Low density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C)水平的变化及不良反应的发生情况。结果:与治疗3个月时相比,两组治疗12个月时临床有效率均显著提高,研究组治疗6、12个月后临床有效率均显著高于对照组(85.33%vs. 76.09%, 88%vs. 80.43%,P0.05)。两组治疗后血清TC、TG、LDL-C水平逐步下降,血清HDL-C水平逐步上升,研究组治疗第12月后血清TC、TG及LDL-C水平较对照组显著降低(P0.05),血清HDL-C水平较对照组明显升高(P0.05)。两组在1年观察期内均未见明显肝肾功能损伤及肌溶解,不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:长期使用阿托伐他汀联合参松养心胶囊治疗老年性心力衰竭的临床效果明显优于西医常规治疗,其可有效降低血脂水平,安全性高。     

Statins in type 2 diabetes mellitus: target on lipids and vascular wall function

The typical dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus shows high levels of triglycerides, low levels of highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and small dense low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. In these patients low-dose atorvastatin (10 mg) results in a significant and relevant reduction in triglycerides and LDL-c. High-dose atorvastatin (80 mg) results in a better LDL-c reduction.The endothelial dysfunction is likely to be caused by factors related to insulin resistance and not by dyslipidaemia alone.The results from the DALI study (Diabetes Atorvastatin Lipid Intervention) on lipids and endothelial function are discussed, together with two invasive endothelial function studies in diabetics and hypertriglyceridaemic patients. The subgroup of diabetics in the large secondary prevention trials using statins are analysed with respect to total cholesterol lowering and death due to coronary heart disease and nonfatal myocardial infarction.     

Intensive statin therapy in acute coronary syndromes: clinical benefits and vascular biology

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The results of a landmark clinical study comparing intensive statin therapy with conventional statin therapy, in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), are reviewed. The mechanisms behind these results are analysed drawing data from vascular and cell biology. RECENT FINDINGS: The Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (PROVE IT-TIMI 22) study showed that intensive statin therapy with 80 mg of atorvastatin to achieve a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 62 mg/dl resulted in a 3.9% absolute and a 16% relative risk reduction in death or major cardiovascular events up to 2 years, compared to 40 mg of pravastatin, in patients with ACS. The results were especially significant as intensive statin therapy resulted in a very early benefit (<30 days) and occurred against a background of percutaneous coronary intervention (69%) for the index admission and high use of medications for secondary prevention. The PROVE IT and the Myocardial Ischaemia Reduction with Aggressive Cholesterol Lowering (MIRACL) C-reactive protein sub-study also showed that atorvastatin (80 mg) resulted in a significant reduction in markers of inflammation, whilst the Reversal of Atherosclerosis with Aggressive Lipid Lowering (REVERSAL) study showed that intensive statin therapy was associated with reduced progression of atherosclerosis compared with conventional doses of statins. SUMMARY: Intensive statin therapy results in a significant early reduction in adverse cardiac events in ACS patients which are sustained over 2 years. The early benefits seen are likely to result from modulation of inflammation, endothelial function and coagulation, i.e. the pleiotropic effects, whereas the greater reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol results in reduced long-term events.     

阿托伐他汀钙片治疗急性冠脉综合征的临床疗效

目的:探讨阿托伐他片汀治疗急性冠脉综合征(ACS)的临床疗效。方法:选择2013年3月至2013年12月我院收治的156例ACS患者,按随机字数表法分为实验组和对照组各78例,两组均采取常规治疗,实验组在此基础上加用阿托伐他汀钙片,对照组则用辛伐他汀滴丸。对比两组治疗效果及心血管事件发生率。结果:两组治疗后总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、血清高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、纤维蛋白原(Fg)和尿酸水平均明显下降,且实验组下降更明显,比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗期间实验组心血管事件发生率率为8.97%(7/78),显著低于对照组的24.36%(19/78),比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:阿托伐他汀片治疗ACS的临床效果优于辛伐他汀滴丸,能有效降低心血管事件的发生,值得的临床推广。     

Differential effects of different statins on endothelin-1 gene expression and endothelial NOS phosphorylation in porcine aortic endothelial cells

It has been reported that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) produce a variety of cardiovascular protective effects independent of their ability to lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Recent studies have also reported that statins produce pleiotropic effects through improved endothelial function, enhanced fibrinolysis, and antithrombotic actions. In the present study, we examined the effects of pitavastatin, pravastatin, atorvastatin, and cerivastatin on endothelin (ET)-1 production in cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAECs). Treatment with cerivastatin but not pitavastatin, pravastatin, or atorvastatin decreased basal and TNF-alpha-stimulated ET-1 release from PAECs in a dose-dependent manner (1-10 microM). Northern blot analysis showed that cerivastatin markedly suppressed prepro ET-1 mRNA expression in both conditions. In addition, these inhibitory effects of cerivastatin on ET-1 release and prepro ET-1 mRNA expression were completely abolished by simultaneous treatment with 200 microM mevalonate. Furthermore, cerivastatin did not have any effects on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein levels, but induced eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177. From these findings, it is most likely that cerivastatin suppresses ET-1 production, possibly through an increase in eNOS activity and the subsequent nitric oxide production in PAECs. These findings also suggest that cerivastatin may have beneficial effects on ET-1-related diseases.     

Effect of atorvastatin withdrawal on circulating coenzyme Q10 concentration in patients with hypercholesterolemia

Statin therapy can reduce the biosynthesis of both cholesterol and coenzyme Q10 by blocking the common upstream mevalonate pathway. Coenzyme Q10 depletion has been speculated to play a potential role in statin-related adverse events, and withdrawal of statin is the choice in patients developing myotoxicity or liver toxicity. However, the effect of statin withdrawal on circulating levels of coenzyme Q10 remains unknown. Twenty-six patients with hypercholesterolemia received atorvastatin at 10 mg/day for 3 months. Serum lipid profiles and coenzyme Q10 were assessed before and immediately after 3 months and were also measured 2 and 3 days after the last day on the statin. After 3 months' atorvastatin therapy, serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and coenzyme Q10 (0.43 +/- 0.23 to 0.16 +/- 0.10 microg/mL) were all significantly reduced (all p<0.001). On day 2 after the last atorvastatin, the coenzyme Q10 level was significantly elevated (0.37 +/- 0.16 microg/mL) and maintained the same levels on day 3 (0.39 +/- 0.18 microg/mL) compared with those on month 3 (both p< 0.001), while TC and LDL-C did not significantly change within the same 3 days. These results suggest that statin inhibition of coenzyme Q10 synthesis is less strict than inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis.     

阿托伐他汀钙片治疗脑梗死的疗效及其对MMP-2表达的影响

摘要 目的：探讨阿托伐他汀钙片治疗脑梗死的疗效及其对基质金属蛋白酶（MMP-2）表达的影响。方法：选择2019年5月-2021年2月在本院诊治的脑梗死患者64例,根据随机信封抽签原则将患者分为阿托伐他汀组32例与对照组32例。对照组给予常规双抗治疗,阿托伐他汀组以对照组为基础给予阿托伐他汀治疗,两组都治疗观察3个月,记录MMP-2表达的变化。结果：治疗后阿托伐他汀组的总有效率为93.8 %,高于对照组的68.8 %（P<0.05）。两组治疗后的低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）水平均低于治疗前（P<0.05）,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）水平高于治疗前（P<0.05）,组间对比无差异（P>0.05）。两组治疗后的大脑中动脉平均血流速度（Vm）明显高于治疗前,搏动指数（PI）明显低于治疗前,阿托伐他汀组与对照组对比差异明显（P<0.05）。两组治疗后的血清MMP-2含量低于治疗前,阿托伐他汀组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗期间的不良反应主要为恶心呕吐、低血压、静脉血栓、头晕脑胀,组内对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：阿托伐他汀治疗脑梗死能降低MMP-2水平,可在平衡血脂水平的基础上提高患者的治疗效果,还可提高大脑中动脉的血流速度,且为增加不良反应。     

Enzymes that hydrolyze adenine nucleotides of patients with hypercholesterolemia and inflammatory processes

The activity of NTPDase (EC 3.6.1.5, apyrase, CD39) was verified in platelets from patients with increasing cholesterol levels. A possible association between cholesterol levels and inflammatory markers, such as oxidized low-density lipoprotein, highly sensitive C-reactive protein and oxidized low-density lipoprotein autoantibodies, was also investigated. Lipid peroxidation was estimated by measurement of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in serum. The following groups were studied: group I, < 150 mg.dL(-1) cholesterol; group II, 151-200 mg.dL(-1) cholesterol; group III, 201-250 mg.dL(-1) cholesterol; and group IV, > 251 mg.dL(-1) cholesterol. The results demonstrated that both ATP hydrolysis and ADP hydrolysis were enhanced as a function of cholesterol level. Low-density lipoprotein levels increased concomitantly with total cholesterol levels. Triglyceride levels were increased in the groups with total cholesterol above 251 mg.dL(-1). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels were elevated in groups II, III, and IV. Highly sensitive C-reactive protein was elevated in the group with cholesterol levels higher than 251 mg.dL(-1). Oxidized low-density lipoprotein autoantibodies were elevated in groups III and IV. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance content was enhanced as a function of cholesterol level. In summary, hypercholesterolemia is associated with enhancement of inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and ATP and ADP hydrolysis. The increased ATP and ADP hydrolysis in group IV was confirmed by an increase in CD39 expression on its surface. The increase in CD39 activity is possibly related to a compensatory response to the inflammatory and pro-oxidative state associated with hypercholesterolemia.     

Comparison of raloxifene and atorvastatin effects on serum lipids composition of healthy post-menopausal women

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the selective oestrogen receptor modulator, raloxifene, and those of statin, atorvastatin, in reducing the cardiovascular risks associated with the post-menopausal status. A detailed study of serum lipid concentrations was performed in four groups of post-menopausal women receiving either placebo, raloxifene or atorvastatin alone or their combination for the period of three months. Group A (raloxifene) showed significant decrease in total cholesterol levels (P < 0.05) and an increase in phospholipids concentration (P < 0.05), followed by a marked reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (P < 0.01) and ApoB amounts (P < 0.001). Additionally, ApoA-I concentration was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Group B (atorvastatin) presented decreased cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triglycerides levels (P < 0.01), followed by elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration (P < 0.05) and low LDL-C amounts (P < 0.001). ApoA-I was significantly increased (P < 0.001) whereas ApoB was reduced (P < 0.001). The combined treatment in Group C (raloxifene and atorvastatin) showed significant changes in the majority of serum lipids. In particular, total cholesterol was reduced (P < 0.001), as well as triglycerides (P < 0.001) levels. Phospholipids were raised (P < 0.01) whereas LDL-C was reduced (P < 0.001) as was ApoB (P < 0.001). Furthermore, ApoA-I was elevated (P < 0.001). A further attempt to evaluate each treatment group was performed and the significance of these results is discussed.