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Posts Tagged ‘atorvastatin’

What happens to HDL level following Intensive statin therapy ?

Posted in cardiology -Therapeutics, Cardiology lipids /dyslipidemia, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on August 4, 2012| 2 Comments »

Statins have revolutionised the treatment of coronary artery disease .Intensive lipid lowering is the fundamental prerequisite in the management of both acute and chronic coronary syndromes. One question  is  always difficult to answer , ( rather reluctant to find the answer )   “The effect of statins on the HDL cholesterol”. Logic and the mechanisms of action would suggest HDL is not much affected , but in reality  I believe , in a given patient statins  do  reduce the HDL by at-least 10-20 % .This might have some significance. However ,  the marked  reduction in LDL  may nullify the adverse effects of lowering HDL.   Does this happen in all

What does the scientific evidence say ?

It says the opposite .  It seems  HDL is raised by statins that too significantly . The following paper also  suggests mechanism of  HDL  elevation by statins .It is Independent  to that of LDL reduction , I believe .

This JAMA article  adds more evidence

http://jama.jamanetwork.com/data/Journals/JAMA/5100/jpc70001_499_508.pdf

This paper  from  the  premier  Journal  of   Lipid research  agrees  to the   mechanism of  HDL reduction by statin  is a complex process  but still  it vouches for it .

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3035518/?report=printable

In spite of  all these  evidence . . .   it  remains a  huge suspect . . . from my personal point of  view ( My patients are  my evidence !  )

Coming soon

The above articles also raise an important  concept of dysfunctional HDL.  Simple raise  in HDL is not suffice . . .it should be functional as well !

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What is the real impact of statins on HDL levels ?

Posted in cardiology -Therapeutics, Cardiology -unresolved questions, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 16, 2009| 1 Comment »

10.14prescriptionRXStatins are projected to be  the saviours of human race against the  killer atherosclerosis .Now we have reached a stage  soon ,  where every healthy individual may be administered this drug. There are consistent evidence for statins to reduce , retard , prevent progression of existing atheroscelorosis  and possibly prevent future atherosclerosis.

This  wonder drug acts by blocking the HMG COA enzyme a vital  enzyme that regulates the lipid metabolism within the cells. It is made to appear  as if ,  the  God has  created this enzyme  with the only purpose for human suffering , by blocking this   we  expect  all errors in lipid  metabolism is corrected.

This enzyme is  part of the house keeping  system  that is meant to service the human cellular lipid layers 24hrs a day. If it  is impaired intentionally one can imagine the consequences. That’s what modern science is all about. Luckily God is kind enough the side effects of  blocking this enzyme is seen only in minority. The myopathies that are classically described with statins are due to possible mitochondrial dysfunction .

As the debate still  continues to find the   optimal bottom levels  of LDL  , we have more worries ,  real world experiences have brought us a new issue  namely  the  reduction of HDL with statins. While literature search on statins and HDL  tell  us there is marginal increase in HDL up to 10% the fact is there is marginal fall or significant  fall in many of the patients .

How can this happen ? A  huge difference between real world and trial world ?

statins hdl ldl

* Brands shown  not intentional

Readers are welcome to add their input on this question .

Reference

Visit HDL forum

http://www.hdlforum.org/

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