Low-density lipoprotein level reduction by the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A inhibitor simvastatin is accompanied by a related reduction of F2-isoprostane formation in hypercholesterolemic subjects: no further effect of vitamin E.

Background: Both statins and vitamin E, by reducing the rate of lipid peroxidation, may interfere with oxidative stress, but the impact of their combination is unknown.

Methods And Results: We randomized 43 hypercholesterolemic patients (21 men, 22 women, age 63+/-11 years) to either simvastatin, to achieve >20% reduction of total cholesterol, or simvastatin plus 600 mg/d vitamin E for 2 months. Patients were then crossed over to the alternative treatment.