BEZAFIBRATE LOWERS ELEVATED PLASMA-LEVELS OF FIBRINOGEN AND LIPOPROTEIN(A) IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE-IIA AND TYPE-B DYSLIPOPROTEINEMIA

The effects of bezafibrate retard (400 mg/day) and of simvastatin (20 mg/day) on the plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) [(Lp(a)] and fibrinogen were evaluated in a placebo-controlled double-blind study in 75 patie nts with type IIa and IIb hyperlipoproteinaemia with elevated levels o f Lp(a) and fibrinogen. Sixty-one patients completed the study. After 6 months of treatment, placebo did not influence any of the investigat ed parameters, whereas simvastatin and bezafibrate significantly reduc ed (P<0.01) plasma cholesterol (by 20% and 15%, respectively), low-den sity lipoprotein cholesterol (by 30% and 20%), and apolipoprotein B (b y 16% and 19%). Bezafibrate also significantly (P<0.01) reduced plasma triglycerides (32%) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholestero l and apolipoprotein A-I levels (by 13% and 14%, respectively). In add ition to these effects on the plasma lipid profile, bezafibrate signif icantly decreased elevated plasma Lp(a) levels (from 47 to 41 U/dl, P< 0.05) and fibrinogen levels (by 14%, P<0.01). It is concluded that bes ides its effect on plasma lipoprotein levels, bezafibrate can also low er elevated plasma levels of Lp(a) and fibrinogen.