PRAVASTATINE INCREASES THE ACTIVITY OF LY MPHOCYTE LDL RECEPTORS IN SUBJECTS WITH HETEROZYGOTIC FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA

An investigation was conducted on the effects of pravastatin, an inhib itor of the HMG CoA reductase, on lipoproteins concentrations and degr adation of LDL (low density lipoproteins) in 14 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Therapy with pravastatin for twelve weeks, 20 mg every 12 hours, and a low fat (30% calories) and cholesterol (l ess than 300 mg/daily) diet decreased serum concentrations of LDL chol esterol and apolipoprotein B by 35.5% and 24%, respectively (p < 0.001 for both parameters). On the other hand, apolipoprotein A-I concentra tions increased by 15.1% (p < 0.05) and HDL cholesterol (high density lipoproteins) by 6.8%; concentrations of apolipoprotein A-II did not c hange. LDL degradation in peripheral lymphocytes increased by 41.3% (p < 0.05) and a correlation was observed (p < 0.05) between percentage of LDL degradation and percentage in the LDL cholesterol decrease. Lik ewise, a positive trend (p = 0.057) was observed between increases in LDL degradation and aging. These findings indicate that pravastatin fa vorably influences the lipoprotein profile and that this effect is med iated, at least partly, by an increase in cellular capacity of LDL deg radation.