[Comparison of the effectiveness of the HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors pravastatin versus colestyramine in hypercholesteremia].

Comparison of the Efficacy of Pravastatin and Colestyramine in Hypercholesterolemic Patients. We have treated 55 patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, familial combined and polygenic hyperlipoproteinemia in a controlled, randomized study to compare the efficacy of pravastatin (CAS 81093-37-0) and colestyramine (CAS 11041-12-6). After an initial therapy of 8 weeks with 20 mg pravastatin doubling of dose led to an additional decrease of the atherogenic lipid fractions (total cholesterol, TC) 21% versus 25%, LDL-C 26% versus 31%, Apo B 12% versus 17%).

Lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, and other risk factors in Chinese men and women with and without myocardial infarction.

One hundred and fifty-four male and 69 female Chinese patients, aged between 40 and 60 years, who had suffered myocardial infarction (MI) were investigated and compared with 216 men and 219 women who had no history or ECG evidence of coronary heart disease. The male MI patients had significantly raised levels of triglycerides (160 mg/dl), cholesterol (194 mg/dl), VLDL-CH (31 mg/dl), apolipoprotein B (122 mg/dl) and apolipoprotein E (4.7 mg/dl) and a lower apolipoprotein A-I level (126 mg/dl) than the control group (triglycerides 131, cholesterol 179, VLDL-CH 26, apo B 102, apo E4.

[Kinetics of lipids and lipoproteins with determination of the recovery rate in the non-steady state following plasma, membrane filtration and dextran sulfate adsorption apheresis in hypercholesterolemia].

In the work presented here, the efficiency of the following techniques was determined in the period 1983-1988 with respect to the elimination of lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia; firstly with plasmapheresis, then with membrane-filtration apheresis, and recently with dextran sulfate adsorption apheresis. Furthermore, the loss resulting from removal by apheresis in lipids, lipoproteins and apoproteins was calculated by means of a single-compartment model from pool size and recovery rates. It could be shown that the individual lipids (TG, CH, LDL-CH, P) in the serum as well as in the lipoprotein fractions (VLDL, LDL, HDL) attained new steady states at differing rates, the recovery times for cholesterol being the longest, those of HDL-CH and apoproteins AI, AII, CII, CIII and E the shortest.

Lack of efficacy of dried garlic in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.

The effects of dried garlic on blood lipids, apolipoproteins and blood coagulation parameters in hyperlipemic patients were studies in two controlled, randomized, double-blind studies. Both studies comprised placebo and therapy periods of 6 weeks each. The doses administered were 3 X 198 mg in Study I (34 patients) and 3 X 450 mg in Study II (51 patients).

Influence of fenofibrate on cellular and subcellular liver structure in hyperlipidemic patients.

The administration of lipid-lowering drugs to rodents, notably those related to clofibrate, rapidly provokes a hepatic response characterized by hepatomegaly, proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and proliferation of peroxisomes in hepatocytes. In some studies hepatocellular carcinoma has been found in rats or mice exposed for their entire life-span to high dose levels of various fibrates. In the present study liver biopsy samples were obtained from 38 hyperlipidemic patients, 28 of whom had been receiving fenofibrate for between 2 months and approximately 3 years (mean values: males 1.

Plasma levels of mepindolol in healthy volunteers after oral doses of mepindolol sulphate.

Three groups of healthy volunteers were given oral doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg, respectively, of the beta-receptor blocking drug mepindolol sulphate (Corindolan). Plasma levels of the active compound mepindolol were measured by means of a sensitive and specific HPLC method. Mepindolol was rapidly absorbed reaching maximum concentrations of 21 +/- 7 ng/ml (5 mg), 47 +/- 23 ng/ml (10 mg) and 54 +/- 29 ng/ml (20 mg) 1--3 h after administration.

[Changes in serum lipid fractions as a side effect of oral retinoids].

Alterations in lipid metabolism have been reported under treatment of various skin disorders with oral retinoids. In 36 patients, mostly psoriatics, under administration of aromatic retinoid (Ro 10-9359) in various dosages serum triglycerides and cholesterol were estimated; in 25 out of 36 patients lipid analysis of the lipoproteins and apoproteins A (HDL) and B (LDL) has been performed. To reveal possible similarities of lipid changes under the two main retinoids we determined the same parameter in 10 patients with conglobate acne treated orally with 13-cis-retinoic acid (isotretinoin/Ro 4-3780 1mg/kg b.

[The detection of apolipoproteins AI and B in the liver of patients with and without hyperlipoproteinemia (author's transl)].

Liver sections as well as isolated liver cells from 5 patients with a normal liver and normal serum lipids and patients with familial hyperlipoproteinemia type IIa (n=6), type IIb (n=11), type IV (n=13) and type V (n=2) were studied for the presence of apolipoprotein (apo) AI and B by immunofluorescence technique. At the time of liver biopsy the actual serum concentrations of HDL- and LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were determined. In patients without metabolic disturbances apo AI was detectable in hepatocytes in 2 out of 5 cases.

The effect of etofibrate retard, bezafibrate and procetofen.

The effects and side effects of 500 mg of etofibrate retard were comared with those of 100 mg t.i.d.

Physiological aspects of the role of human albumin in the treatment of chronic and acute blood loss.

Human albumin is the most important oncotic-active protein (1 g albumin attaches 18 g water). It is essential for the water exchange between intra- and extracellular space and for homeostasis. The physiological distribution of albumin, its daily exchange and degradation are being discussed.

Frequently used lipid-lowering drugs having no guaranteed effect.

The therapeutic value of frequently used lipid-lowering agents such as the essential phospholipids (EPL), pyridoxal-phosphate (PP) and cynarin as well as the use of chenodeoxycholic acid and disaccharidase inhibitors in the treatment of various forms of hyperlipoproteinaemia is discussed critically. In two own clinical studies with orally administered EPL and PP in hyperlipoproteinaemic outpatients we were unable to establish clinically relevant effects on blood lipid and lipoprotein levels. In our opinion reported positive results with EPL, PP and cynarin are partially due to the methods of administration, selection of inpatients and dietary influences.

[Clofibrate banned - what now? (author's transl)].

Of the drugs which reduce triglycerides and cholesterol we recommend Cedur, Lipanthyl and Ronicol. Of the drugs which predominantly lower cholesterol levels, Skleronorm has proved useful for a long time in the treatment of HLP Types IIa and IIb. Quantalan or Colestid should be used for the severe forms of hypercholesterolemia in children and adults.

[Dose-effect of beta-sitosterin in type IIa and IIb hypercholesterolemias (author's transl)].

In a trial with 59 outpatients with hypercholesterolemia the effect of two different doses of 5.28 and 10,56 g Beta-Sitosterol was compared to placebo. Each treatment phase lasted six weeks.