High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Modulation and Endothelial Function

Summary

It is well known that lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (bad cholesterol) is beneficial for decreasing heart attacks and death. More recently, focus has been on trying to raise HDL (good) cholesterol. The purpose of the present study is to determine if the addition of a sustained release preparation of niacin (Niaspan - a medicine to raise HDL cholesterol) to LDL lowering with a statin type medication results in improved vascular health. The study of the well being of one's vessel wall (endothelial function) will serve as a marker of treatment effect in the study. Hypotheses: Extended-release (ER) niacin will improve endothelial function measured as brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD - 10 end-point) and as pulse volume amplitude by pulse arterial tonometry (PAT) (20 end-point) in subjects with established atherosclerosis whose LDL cholesterol is optimally treated with statin therapy.

Timeline

Start

2005-09

Primary completion

2008-08

Completion

2008-08

Publications

• Philpott AC, Hubacek J, Sun YC, Hillard D, Anderson TJ. Niacin improves lipid profile but not endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease on high dose statin therapy. Atherosclerosis. 2013 Feb;226(2):453-8. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.10.067. Epub 2012 Nov 5.

Drugs

Indications