HYPOLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF SAIKO-KA-RYUKOTSU-BOREI-TO (TJ-12) IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE-II OR TYPE-IV HYPERLIPIDEMIA

This open-label, uncontrolled trial evaluated the effect of Kampo medi cine, Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (TJ-12), on plasma lipids and apolipo proteins in 21 patients (3 men and 18 women) with type II or type TV h yperlipidemia, The mean age of the patients wits 60.2 +/- 7.2 years an d the mean weight was 55.9 +/- 9.4 kg. Twelve weeks after daily admini stration of 7.5 g of TJ-12, total cholesterol levels, low-density Lipo protein (LDL)-cholesterol levels, and the atherogenic index (defined a s the difference between total cholesterol levels and high-density lip oprotein [HDL]-cholesterol levels divided by HDL-cholesterol levels) w ere significantly decreased (pretreatment vs posttreatment mean value, 263 +/- 31 mg/dL vs 239 +/- 36 mg/dL, 177 +/- 39 mg/dL, vs 163 +/- 35 mg/dL, and 4.3 +/- 8.9 mg/dL vs 3.8 +/- 8.7 mg/dL, respectively), The re was a significant positive correlation between the change in total cholesterol levels and that in LDL-cholesterol levels, These results s uggest that TJ-12 might diminish atherogenesis by reducing the plasma levels of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol.