Skip to main content
Log in

Effects of fluvastatin therapy on lipids, antioxidants, oxidation of low density lipoproteins and trace metals

  • PHARMACOKINETICS AND DISPOSITION
  • Published:
European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective: Oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) is thought to be an important step in the development of atherosclerosis. Trace metals are involved in oxidative processes. It was of interest to determine whether lipid-lowering therapy with fluvastatin, a potent HMGCoA reductase inhibitor, affected LDL oxidation and trace metal levels.

Methods: Twenty hypercholesterolemic patients were treated with fluvastatin (40 mg twice daily) or placebo for 8 weeks in a double-blind, randomized study. LDL composition, antioxidants and oxidizability as well as plasma zinc, copper, selenium and manganese concentrations were investigated.

Results: After fluvastatin treatment, total cholesterol was reduced by 24%, triglycerides fell by 26% and plasma Zn fell by 8%. Cu, Se and Mn changed insignificantly. LDL were separated by ultracentrifugation. LDL were reduced by 18%, LDL-C by 29% and LDL-TG by 19%. The concentrations of α-tocopherol and retinol in LDL changed insignificantly. LDL preparations were incubated with copper ions (204 μmol · l−1 LDL-C/3.2 μmol · l−1 Cu) and formation of conjugated dienes was monitored at 234 nm for 5 h. Treatment with fluvastatin caused a reduction of diene production by 16% and of diene production rate by 14%, effects being significantly different from placebo (P=0.02). The change of the lagtime did not reach significance; however, it was positively correlated with the change in LDL α-tocopherol. In the placebo group, no significant effects were observed.

Conclusion: Fluvastatin therapy had lipid-lowering and antioxidative effects.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received: 20 January 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 12 May 1997

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Leonhardt, W., Kurktschiev, T., Meissner, D. et al. Effects of fluvastatin therapy on lipids, antioxidants, oxidation of low density lipoproteins and trace metals. E J Clin Pharmacol 53, 65–69 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280050338

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280050338

Navigation