High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Treatment Study

Summary

A low level of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, "the good cholesterol", is the most common lipid abnormality observed in patients with a premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. HDL carry excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver to be metabolized or excreted, a process known as reverse cholesterol transport. Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse correlation between plasma levels of HDL cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease. An increase in plasma HDL cholesterol levels by 1 mg/dL may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 2 to 3%. The standard care of treatment for a low level of HDL cholesterol is: 1) lifestyle modifications including exercise, smoking cessation, weight control, moderate alcohol intake and decreased dietary fat intake - all patients are encouraged to follow these lifestyle modifications; 2) medications which can raise HDL cholesterol. Currently used medications to treat lipid disorders can increase, in some extent, HDL cholesterol. These include niacin (vitamin B3), fibric acid derivatives (fibrates) and statins. However there is no data on the effect of these medications on severe cases of HDL deficiency. This project aims to determine whether currently available medications, used in standard medical practice for the treatment of lipoprotein disorders, can substantially increase HDL cholesterol in severe cases of HDL deficiencies.

Timeline

Start

2006-11

Primary completion

2007-09

Completion

2007-09

Publications

• Background McPherson R, Frohlich J, Fodor G, Genest J, Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Canadian Cardiovascular Society position statement--recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Can J Cardiol. 2006 Sep;22(11):913-27. doi: 10.1016/s0828-282x(06)70310-5.
• Background Brewer HB Jr. High-density lipoproteins: a new potential therapeutic target for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004 Mar;24(3):387-91. doi: 10.1161/01.ATV.0000121505.88326.d2. No abstract available.
• Background Rubins HB, Robins SJ, Collins D, Fye CL, Anderson JW, Elam MB, Faas FH, Linares E, Schaefer EJ, Schectman G, Wilt TJ, Wittes J. Gemfibrozil for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in men with low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Veterans Affairs High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Intervention Trial Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1999 Aug 5;341(6):410-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199908053410604.
• Background Schaefer JR, Schweer H, Ikewaki K, Stracke H, Seyberth HJ, Kaffarnik H, Maisch B, Steinmetz A. Metabolic basis of high density lipoproteins and apolipoprotein A-I increase by HMG-CoA reductase inhibition in healthy subjects and a patient with coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis. 1999 May;144(1):177-84. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9150(99)00053-2.
• Background Ashen MD, Blumenthal RS. Clinical practice. Low HDL cholesterol levels. N Engl J Med. 2005 Sep 22;353(12):1252-60. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp044370. No abstract available.
• Background Schaefer EJ, Asztalos BF. The effects of statins on high-density lipoproteins. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2006 Jan;8(1):41-9. doi: 10.1007/s11883-006-0063-3.

Drugs

Indications