NUOVE STRATEGIE NEL TRATTAMENTO DELLA DISLIPIDEMIA Prof. Paolo de Caprariis MAL 1

Altered coagulation And fibrinolysis MAL

Lipoproteina

2 Sets of Lipoproteins ApoA1 Apo B 0.95 1.006 Density (g/mL) 1.02 1.06 1.10 1.20 5 10 20 40 60 80 1000 Diameter (nm) MAL

Atherogenic Cholesterol Load 0.95 1.006 Density (g/ml) 1.02 1.06 1.10 1.20 5 10 20 40 60 80 1000 Diameter (nm) MAL

Two Types of Lipoproteins are Atherogenic in Humans Apo B100 containing LDL Apo B48 containing Chylomicron Remnants B100 B48 TG TG CE Hepatic Intestinal CE TG Apolipoprotein B fragments Cholesteryl ester MAL

Atherogenic Transport Anti Atherogenic Transport Atherosclerosis is linked to a Desequilibrium between Protective and Atherogenic Lipoproteins Apo B VLDL - IDL - LDL Atherogenic Transport Apo AI HDL Anti Atherogenic Transport MAL

FARMACI IMPIEGATI NELLE DISLIPIDEMIE Niacina, 1955 Resine sequestranti acidi biliari, 1961 Fibrati, 1967 Statine (inibitori HMG-CoA reduttasi), 1987 Inibitori dell’assorbimento del Colesterolo (ezetimibe), 2002 Terapia combinata, 2004-2005 During the past five decades, a number of drugs representing various strategies for the management of hyperlipidemia have been developed. The introduction of niacin, the first major drug for this indication, in 1955 was followed by bile acid sequestrants in 1961 and fibrates in 1967. More than 20 years passed before the next significant advance in the treatment of hyperlipidemia occurred — the statins or HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which became available for clinical use in 1987. The cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe is the first member of a new class of lipid-lowering drugs and the first major innovation in cholesterol management in 15 years.1–5

NIACINA o VITAMINA B3 o PP Primo farmaco ipolipemizzante introdotto nel 1955. COMPLESSO DELLA VITAMINA B IDROFILO Sembra che agisca inibendo la lipolisi nel tessuto adiposo, con conseguente riduzione della sintesi epatica di VLDL Effetti collaterali: vasodilatazione, prurito al viso ed alle parti superiori del tronco, eritema, vampate Altri effetti collaterali importanti sono a carico del fegato, con aumento delle transaminasi e possibilità di ittero,dolore epigastrico,nausea,vomito, diarrea

Efficacy Hepatotoxicity Flushing Niacin is Available in a Number of Different Formulations According to the Speed of Drug Release. Formulations that Differ in Time of Release May Have Different Lipid Effects and Vary in their Adverse Reaction Profiles Efficacy Hepatotoxicity Flushing Knopp R. Am J Cardiol 2000;86:51-56

DRUG DESCRIPTION NIASPAN (niacin tablet, film-coated extended-release), contains niacin, which at therapeutic doses is an antihyperlipidemic agent. Niacin (nicotinic acid, or 3-pyridinecarboxylic acid) is a white, crystalline powder, very soluble in water, with the following structural formula: NIASPAN is an unscored, medium-orange, film-coated tablet for oral administration and is available in three tablet strengths containing 500, 750, and 1000 mg niacin. NIASPAN tablets also contain the inactive ingredients hypromellose, povidone, stearic acid, and polyethylene glycol, and the following coloring agents: FD&C yellow #6/sunset yellow FCF Aluminum Lake, synthetic red and yellow iron oxides, and titanium dioxide.

Conjugated Pathway Non Conjugated Pathway

on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins Comparison of the Effect of Niaspan and Immediate Release Nicotinic Acid on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins 8 weeks N=223 Carlson L.A. J.Internal Medicine 2005;258:94-114

Mechanisms of Action of Nicotinic Acid Knopp R. NEJM 1999;341:498-511

Flushing Out the Role of GPR109A (HM74A) in the Clinical Efficacy of Nicotinic Acid Pike N. JCI 2005;115:3400-3403

Vit E 800UI Vit C 1000mg Beta Carotene 25mg Selenium 100ug Simva 10-40mg Niacor 2000mg N: 34 39 33 40 Brown G.NEJM 2001;345:1583-1592

Brown G.NEJM 2001;345:1583-1592

Wolfe M. Am.J Cardiology 2001;87:476-489

Simcor SIMCOR ® è indicato per ridurre elevate totale-C, C-LDL, Apo B, non-HDL-C, TG, o di aumentare il colesterolo HDL nei pazienti con ipercolesterolemia primaria e dislipidemia mista quando il trattamento con simvastatina in monoterapia o niacina monoterapia a rilascio prolungato è considerato inadeguato, e TG nei pazienti con ipertrigliceridemia quando il trattamento con simvastatina in monoterapia o niacina a rilascio prolungato in monoterapia è considerata inadeguata. http://www.drugs.com

Simcor Dosage and Administration Simcor should be taken as a single daily dose at bedtime, with a low fat snack. Patients not currently on niacin extended-release and patients currently on niacin products other than niacin extended-release should start Simcor at a single 500/20 mg tablet daily at bedtime. Patients already taking simvastatin 20-40 mg who need additional management of their lipid levels may be started on a Simcor dose of 500/40 mg once daily at bedtime. The dose of niacin extended-release should not be increased by more than 500 mg daily every 4 weeks. The recommended maintenance dose for Simcor is 1000/20 mg to 2000/40 mg (two 1000/20 mg tablets) once daily depending on patient tolerability and lipid levels. The efficacy and safety of doses of Simcor greater than 2000/40 mg daily have not been studied and are therefore not recommended. If Simcor therapy is discontinued for an extended period of time (> 7 days), re-titration as tolerated is recommended. Simcor tablets should be taken whole and should not be broken, crushed, or chewed before swallowing. MAL

RESINE LEGANTI I SALI BILIARI Sono disponibili due molecole: COLESTIRAMINA COLESTIPOLO CLORIDRATO Dal punto di vista chimico sono resine che legano anioni Meccanismo d’azione: Le resine legano gli acidi biliari scambiando ioni Cl- con cariche negative Effetti collaterali: stipsi, nausea Interazioni farmacologiche: diverse classi di vitamine anticoagulanti orali glicosidi cardioattivi diuretici β-bloccanti antibiotici

Colesevelam Colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant administered orally. It is developed by Genzyme and marketed in the US by Daiichi Sankyo under the brand name WelChol and elsewhere by Genzyme under the tradename Cholestagel. Clinical use Colesevelam is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with primary hyperlipidemia as monotherapy and to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including in combination with a statin. Colesevelam is one of the bile-acid sequestrants, which along with niacin and the statins are the three main types of cholesterol-lowering agents. The statins are considered the first-line agents. This is because of side effects from the other two types, including bloating and constipation (bile-acid sequestrants) and skin flushing (niacin). These side effects often lead to low patient compliance. MAL

Constituents The compounds which constitute the polymer colesevelam are: N-prop-2-enyldecan-1-amine; trimethyl-[6-(prop-2-enylamino)hexyl]azanium; prop-2-en-1-amine; 2-(chloromethyl)oxirane; hydrogen chloride; chloride.

How it works Colesevelam is part of a class of drugs known as bile acid sequestrants. Colesevelam hydrochloride, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Welchol, is a non-absorbed, lipid-lowering polymer that binds bile acids in the intestine, impeding their reabsorption. As the bile acid pool becomes depleted, the hepatic enzyme, cholesterol 7-α-hydroxylase, is upregulated, which increases the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. This causes an increased demand for cholesterol in the liver cells, resulting in the dual effect of increasing transcription and activity of the cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, and increasing the number of hepatic LDL receptors. These compensatory effects result in increased clearance of LDL-C from the blood, resulting in decreased serum LDL-C levels. Serum TG levels may increase or remain unchanged. It is not yet known how Colesevelam works to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. However, it is clear that the drug works within the digestive tract, since it is not absorbed into the rest of the body.

Reduce LDL cholesterol by 15 to 18 percent Since Colesevelam can lower total and LDL cholesterol levels (along with raising HDL -- cholesterol), a person can decrease his or her risk of developing certain health problems in the future by taking it. In previous clinical research studies, people taking 3,800 mg to 4,500 mg of Colesevelam daily were able to: Reduce LDL cholesterol by 15 to 18 percent Reduce total cholesterol by 7 to 10 percent Raise HDL cholesterol by 3 percent. The combination of Colesevelam with a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (known more commonly as a statin) can further lower cholesterol levels. MAL

DERIVATI DELL’ACIDO FIBRICO: CLOFIBRATO E GEMFIBROZIL Riduzione dei livelli di VLDL Modesto aumento delle HDL Effetto variabile sulle LDL Il clofibrato attiva la lipasi a livello endoteliale Farmacocinetica Ben assorbiti per os. Elevatissimo legame (95%) con l’albumina plasmatica. Generalmente ben tollerati, con scarsi effetti collaterali gastrointestinali. ATTENZIONE alla competizione con altri farmaci (es. anticoagulanti orali) per i siti di legame alle proteine plasmatiche

Fibrati FENOFIBRATO Steiner G. Atherosclerosis 2005;182:199-207

Rate of Rhabdomyolysis With Fenofibrate + Statin Versus Gemfibrozil + Statin Jones P. Am.J. Cardiol. 2005;95:120-122

Fenofibrate Resulted in a 33 Times Lower Rhabdomyolysis Reporting Rate than Did Gemfibrozil Jones P. Am.J. Cardiol. 2005;95:120-122

Grundy S. Am.J. Cardiology 2005;95:462-468

Structural Mechanism for Statin Inhibition of HMG-CoA Reductase Simvastatin Atorvastatin Type 1 Butyryl group Type 2 Fluorophenyl group MAL

Le statine inibiscono la biosintesi del mevalonato HMG-CoA HMG-CoA reduttasi STATINE Mevalonato Geranyl-difosfato Geranylgeranyl difosfato Dolicolo Farnesyl-difosfato Squalene Ubiquinone Colesterolo

Anti-hyperlipidemic Drugs - Statins

Anti-hyperlipidemic Drugs - Statins Atorvastatin Cerivastatin Fluvastatin Rosuvastatin Pitavastatin

Anti-hyperlipidemic Drugs - Statins Rationale – competitive binding For example, Mevastatin Lovastatin Simvastatin Fluvastatin Atorvastatin Cerivastatin HMG CoA substrate

Anti-hyperlipidemic Drugs - Statins Pharmacokinetic properties of statins – case of cerivastatin Bioavail. Dosage (mg) Protein Binding Metabolites Atorvastatin ~14% 10 – 80 >98% Active Cerivastatin ~60% 0.2 – 0.3 >99% Fluvastatin ~24% 98% Lovastatin ~5% >95% Pravastatin ~17% 10 – 40 ~50% Simvastatin 10 - 80 ~95% Typically all statins possess side effects. The most dominant side effect, cited in the withdrawal of cerivastatin, is rhabdomyolysis (lysis of rhabdomyose) or weakening of skeletal muscles.

MECCANISMO D’AZIONE DELLE STATINE Riduzione attività HMG CoA reduttasi Deplezione del pool di colesterolo nell’epatocita Aumento espressione recettori LDL epatici Diminuita produzione di VLDL Alterata composizione delle VLDL Aumento clearance LDL circolanti

STATINE DI I GENERAZIONE MEVASTATINA e’ stata la prima sostanza scoperta, è stato isolata da colture di specie di Penicillum LOVASTATINA è un analogo della mevastatina, con aggiunto un gruppo metile E’ stato isolato da colture di Aspergillus. Molecola lipofila, emivita: 2-3 ore. PRAVASTATINA è anch’esso un analogo della mevastatina, con aggiunto un gruppo idrossilico. Molecola idrofila, emivita: 1 ora.

STATINE DI II GENERAZIONE SIMVASTATINA di derivazione semisintetica. Molto simile alla lovastatina. Indicata: ipercolesterolemia primaria Ipercolesterolemia familiare nella variante eterozigote iperlipidemia mista (tipo IIa e IIb) STATINE DI III GENERAZIONE FLUVASTATINA è una molecola sintetizzata chimicamente. Molecola idrofila, ha una breve emivita.

STATINE DI IV GENERAZIONE ATORVASTATINA di derivazione sintetica STATINE DI IV GENERAZIONE ATORVASTATINA di derivazione sintetica. Molecola lipofila, con una lunga emivita (13-16 ore). Indicata: - ipercolesterolemia familiare nella variante omozigote - ipercolesterolemia primaria - iperlipidemia mista (tipo IIa IIb) CERIVASTATINA di derivazione sintetica. Molecola idrofila, emivita: 2-3 ore. E’ circa 100 volte più potente rispetto alle altre statine. Ritirata dal commercio perché si sono manifestati casi di rabdomiolisi mortale per sovradosaggio o per l’associazione con altri farmaci ipocolesterolemizzanti.

ROSUVASTATINA Gruppo polare metan-sulfonico H C 3 F Ca (3R, 5S) Gruppo polare metan-sulfonico La più potente statina: 10-80 mg/dl riduzione LDL-C da 34%-65% e fino a 90% /2 sett. Diminuzione apolipoproteina b e trigliceridi 10-35% Aumento HDL da 9-14% Basso rischio di interazioni con altri farmaci 0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,0 Prostata Testicoli Surrene Tiroide Cervello Occhio Milza Ileo Fegato Rene Polmone Cuore Cervelletto CLUptake (mL/min/g tessuto) trasporto attivo per alta affinità con un sistema organo-specifico (OATPs :Organic Anion Transport Proteins)

SINTESI SIMVASTATINA

SINTESI SIMVASTATINA

SINTESI SIMVASTATINA

FARMACOCINETICA Sono somministrate per os ed hanno un assorbimento variabile. Simvastatina:85% di assorbimento Pravastatina:30% assorbimento Fluvastatina:assorbita quasi completamente Hanno tutte un esteso effetto di primo passaggio che, per la lovastatina e la simvastatina, serve per dare origine al farmaco attivo. Sono strettamente legate alle proteine plasmatiche (50% pravastatina, 95% le altre) Escrete quasi completamente per via intestinale. Vengono generalmente somministrate in unica dose serale, perché la sintesi di colesterolo segue un ritmo circadiano, aumentando la notte.

Differenze farmacocinetiche delle statine: metabolismo epatico Pravastatina Lovastatina Rosuvastatina Simvastatina Cerivastatina Fluvastatina Atorvastatina 50 – 80% <5% CYP2C9 CYP3A4 CYP2C8 Prodotti di degradazione attivi o inattivi

FDA Approves LIVALO(R) For Primary Hypercholesterolemia And Combined Dyslipidemia Pitavastatin LIVALO(R) (pitavastatin), a potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin). MAL

Livalo is a fully synthetic and highly potent statin engineered in Japan. Livalo differs from other, currently available statins in the U.S. in that it has a unique cyclopropyl group on the base structure. This cyclopropyl group contributes to a more effective inhibition of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme to inhibit cholesterol production, and potentially affords greater low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) clearance and reduction of plasma cholesterol. Importantly, pitavastatin is only minimally metabolized by the liver through the cytochrome P450 pathway, through which many other medications are metabolized. In pivotal Phase III trials, Livalo effectively reduced LDL-C and improved other parameters of lipid metabolism in special patient populations, including the elderly, patients with diabetes and patients at higher cardiovascular risk. The overall safety and tolerability of Livalo are consistent with other commonly prescribed statins.

Livalo is expected to launch in the U. S Livalo is expected to launch in the U.S. during Q1 of 2010 and will be available in 3 low dosages (1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg). After a thorough review of the statin market, KPA is also seeking a co-promotion partner in order to broaden the reach of KPA's rapidly growing internal sales force. Partnering with another organization to expand the sales efforts for this product is aligned with KPA's long-term vision to become a leader in the cardiometabolic therapeutic arena. Since its launch in Japan, South Korea, Thailand and China, Livalo has been successfully used in these countries to treat primary hypercholesterolemia and combined dyslipidemia, and has accumulated millions of patient-years of exposure. It is frequently prescribed in these countries as first-line therapy for a broad range of patients including the elderly, patients with diabetes and those whose treatment is complicated by concurrent disease and concomitant medications.

Selected Drugs That May Increase Risk of Myopathy When Used Concomitantly with Statins MAL Adapted from Corsini A. Pharmacol.Ther. 1999;84:413-428

INTERAZIONI FARMACOLOGICHE CON LE STATINE: le principali classi di farmaci a rischio INTERAZIONI FARMACOCINETICHE: Inibitori CYP 3A4: Ciclosporina, Eritromicina, Ritonavir, Fluconazolo, fluoxetina, pompelmo (> la concentrazione plasmatica delle statine) Induttori CYP 3A4: Barbiturici, Carbamazepina, Fenitoina, Rifampicina (< la concentrazione plasmatica di statine) Inibitori CYP 2C9: Amiodarone, Cimetidina, Isoniazide, Chetonazolo (> concentrazione plasmatica di fluvastatina) Induttori CYP2C9: Barbiturici,Carbamazepina, Fenitoina, Rifampicina (< concentrazioni plasmatiche fluvastatina) Antibiotici macrolidi: Eritromicina, Claritromicina Antifungini azolici: ketoconazolo Calcio-antagonisti Acido nicotinico Benzodiazepine: Diazepam, Midazolam Anticoagulanti cumarinici : warfarin INTERAZIONI FARMACODINAMICHE: Gemfibrozil – fibrati

Altre formulazioni combinate Co-somministrazione: statina + niacina Advicor ( Nicostatin) combinazione di lovastatina e niacina <LDL del 47% >HDL del 41% Aumento glicemia e acido urico con conseguenti anomalie Co –somministrazione: statina + resine Effetti collaterali gastrointestinali: costipazione, gonfiore, flautolenza, dolori addominali Co-somministrazione : statina + fibrati Gemfibrozil > concentrazione statine nel sangue alzando il potenziale di tossicità si sostituì con il fenofibrato. Controllo periodico: Alanina aminotransferasi (ALT) Aspartato aminotransferasi (AST) Creatina kinasi (CK) Usare cautamente un trattamento combinato in pazienti con età superiore a 70 anni Se appaiono sintomi muscolari sospendere la terapia Non somministrare in pazienti con insufficienza epatica

Whole Body Cholesterol Homeostasis is Maintained Through 3 Major Pathways Intestinal Absorption LDL-C de novo Synthesis Biliary Excretion MAL Bays H. Expert Opin. Investig. Drugs 2002; 11: 1587-1604

Lumen Enterocyte Lymph Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption is a Multistep Process that is Regulated by Multiple Genes Lumen Enterocyte Lymph Sterol Influx Transporter Lammert F. Gastroenterology 2005;129:718-734

Complementary Actions of Statins and Selective Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors

Assorbimento di Colesterolo nell’Intestino 300–700 mg 1000 mg Plant stanols Cholesterol from dietary or biliary sources enters the intestine where the cholesterol is emulsified in the lumen by bile acids to form mixed lipid micelles (micellar cholesterol). Micelles move lipids from the intestinal lumen to the mucosal surface where they are absorbed by enterocytes.8,9 Once inside epithelial cells, free cholesterol is esterified by acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) and assembled into chylomicrons (CMs), which are secreted into the lymph and subsequently enter the blood.6 Cholesterol-lowering drugs have been developed to act at various steps in this process. Resins increase fecal excretion of bile acids, while plant stanols interfere with the formation of micellar cholesterol.1,11 Until recently, neither the transport of cholesterol into intestinal epithelial cells, nor agents that affect this process, were well understood. As the next slide shows, Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) has now been recognized as playing a major role in the absorption of intestinal cholesterol.12 NPC1L1

Ezetimibe: Parametri Farmacocinetici Assorbimento Rapido,dopo somministrazione orale Picco di concentrazione plasmatica di metabolita attivo in 1–2 ore Metabolismo Rapidamente metabolizzato a metabolita attivo: ezetimibe- glucuronide Eliminazione attraverso le feci Emivita ~22 ore / dose giornaliera Ezetimibe OH OH N F O Glucuronidazione F OGluc OH Ezetimibe is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with peak plasma concentrations of the active metabolite occurring within one to two hours.14,19 Ezetimibe and the glucuronide metabolite are both eliminated primarily in the feces.19 The elimination half-life of ezetimibe and ezetimibe-glucuronide is approximately 22 hours.14 Ezetimibe does not induce CYP 450 drug metabolizing enzymes.14 No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions have been observed between ezetimibe and commonly used drugs, including dapsone, dextromethorphan, digoxin, oral contraceptives, glipizide, tolbutamide, midazolam, or warfarin.14 Interactions have been noted when ezetimibe is administered with cholestyramine (decreased area under the curve [AUC] of ezetimibe + ezetimibe glucuronide), fibrates (increased concentrations of total ezetimibe), and cyclosporine (increased mean AUC for total ezetimibe in renal transplant patients).14 Because the oral bioavailability of ezetimibe is unaffected by concomitant food administration, it can be administered with or without food. The pharmacokinetics of ezetimibe are unaffected by age and gender and, consequently, no dosage adjustments are required in men, women, the elderly, or children and adolescents 10 years.14 N F O Glucuronide F

Synthesis Ezetimibe

Effetti dell’ Ezetimibe sull’ Assorbimento del Colesterolo 80 54% Riduzione dell’assorbimento di colesterolo con l’ezetimibe 70 60 49.8% 50 % Assorbimento Colesterolo 2 settimane 40 30 22.7% 20 Individuali livelli di assorbimento Principali livelli di assorbimento Individual fractional cholesterol absorption rates ranged from 24.9% to 74.7% during the placebo treatment period and from 2.3% to 48.7% during treatment with ezetimibe. After two weeks of treatment, mean fractional cholesterol absorption was 22.7% with ezetimibe and 49.8% with placebo, a reduction of 54% with ezetimibe (p<0.001).22 10 Placebo Ezetimibe

Effetti dell’ Ezetimibe sull’ Aterogenesi Sezione trasversale dell’arteria coronaria Apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE –/–) mice, a well-established animal model of atherosclerosis, were used in a study that examined the effect of ezetimibe on plasma cholesterol and atherogenesis. Animals were fed western, low-fat, and cholesterol-free diets, with or without ezetimibe 5 mg/kg/day, for six months. The average plasma cholesterol levels after six months on a western diet was 9.67 mmol/L in ezetimibe-treated mice as compared with 24.93 mmol/L in untreated controls, a 61% reduction with ezetimibe. Similar reductions were achieved with ezetimibe in mice fed low-fat and cholesterol-free diets.20 Ezetimibe had a dramatic inhibitory effect on atherogenesis in apoE –/– mice fed all three diets. The intimal lesion cross-sectional area of the carotid artery in these animals was reduced by 91% to 97% by ezetimibe. These findings suggest that ezetimibe may inhibit atherogenesis in individuals consuming restricted-fat or high-fat western diets.20,21 Control Ezetimibe 5 mg/kg/day

Nuovi approcci: Ezetimibe La associazione di Ezetimibe con statina agisce attraverso la duplice inibizione della sintesi di colesterolo a livello epatico e di assorbimento di colesterolo a livello intestinale. La associazione di Ezetimibe 10 mg con qualsiasi statina al dosaggio di 10 o 20 mg produce una riduzione di LDL-colesterolo sovrapponibile a quella ottenibile con il dosaggio massimo della statina. Oltre il 70% dei pazienti che non hanno raggiunto l’obbiettivo terapeutico in monoterapia con statine, lo raggiungono se si associa Ezetimibe Ezetimibe is the first member of a new class of drugs with a unique mechanism of action that inhibits the intestinal absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol, resulting in substantial reductions in LDL-C.1,23,24 Coadministration of ezetimibe with a statin provides Dual Inhibition of cholesterol absorption and cholesterol synthesis.8,25 Coadministration of ezetimibe with a statin results in incremental improvement in LDL-C for superior efficacy compared to a statin alone.26–31 Coadministration of ezetimibe with a statin also improves other lipid parameters, including HDL-C and TG. Data from controlled clinical trials indicate that ezetimibe has a favorable safety profile similar to placebo, and in coadministration, similar to the statin alone.1,23

Efficacy of LDL-C Lowering with Ezetimibe/Simvastatin Compared with Simvastatin Alone In Patients with Primary Hypercholesterolemia

INEGY Inegy è indicato come terapia aggiuntiva alla dieta in pazienti con ipercolesterolemia primaria (eterozigote familiare e non-familiare) o con iperlipidemia mista ove sia indicato l´uso di un prodotto di associazione:  Pazienti non controllati adeguatamente con una statina da sola.  Pazienti già trattati con una statina ed ezetimibe. Inegy contiene ezetimibe e simvastatina. E´ stato dimostrato che la simvastatina (20-40 mg) riduce la frequenza degli eventi cardiovascolari (vedere paragrafo 5.1). Non sono stati completati gli studi per dimostrare l´efficacia di Inegy o di ezetimibe nella prevenzione delle complicazioni dell´aterosclerosi. Ipercolesterolemia familiare omozigote (IF omozigote) Inegy è indicato come terapia aggiuntiva alla dieta in pazienti con ipercolesterolemia familiare omozigote. I pazienti possono essere sottoposti anche ad ulteriori misure terapeutiche (per esempio, l´aferesi delle lipoproteine a bassa densità [LDL]). MAL

INEGY  Gruppo  farmacoterapeutico:  altri  ipocolesterolemizzanti  ed  ipotrigliceridemizzanti.  Codice  ATC: C10A X Inegy   (ezetimibe/simvastatina)   è   un   prodotto   ipolipemizzante   che   inibisce   selettivamente l´assorbimento intestinale del colesterolo e dei relativi steroli vegetali e inibisce la sintesi endogena del colesterolo. Meccanismo d´azione:InegyIl  colesterolo  plasmatico  è  derivato  dall´assorbimento  intestinale  e  dalla  sintesi  endogena.  Inegy contiene   ezetimibe   e   simvastatina,   due   composti   ipolipemizzanti   con   meccanismi   d´azione complementari. MAL

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: The Basics What are Omega-3 fatty acids? What are common dietary sources?

AHA Recommendations For patients with documented CHD, about 1g of EPA+DHA per day Capsules Low Potency - 300 mg EPA+DHA/g (Typical drug store capsules) High Potency - 500-700 mg EPA+DHA/g (CardioTabs, Triomega, OmegaRx) Pharmaceutical – 850 mg EPA+DHA/g (Omacor®, Reliant Pharmaceuticals) Cod Liver Oil 1 tsp (RDA for Vit. D; 2x RDA Vit. A)

OMACOR® (omega-3-acid ethyl esters) reduced triglycerides by a median of 45% while raising HDL-C by 9% OMACOR reduced non–HDL-C by 14% overall,) The placebo group had no significant changes from baseline for any of the above lipid parameters Every attempt should be made to control serum TG levels with appropriate diet, exercise, weight loss in overweight patients, and control of any medical problems (such as diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism) that may be contributing to the patient’s TG abnormalities.

Combination Lipid Therapy Options Vasudevan A. Curr. Athero. Rep. 2006;8:76-84

While cholesterol is necessary for many biological functions, too much of it increases our risk of cardiovascular diseases. Most of us have an unfortunate appetite for foods rich in cholesterol and some of us are genetically predisposed to handle it worse than others, so the scientific community is working hard to help us control cholesterol levels.  As cholesterol is insoluble in blood, it must be carried around in the form of lipoproteins. One particular type of transporter, HDL (high-density lipoprotein), has been the focus of many research groups. HDL carries cholesterol away from arteries to the liver, where the cholesterol can be excreted or reused. Having more HDL is beneficial to the cardiovascular system, but raising HDL levels is difficult.

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2009 HDL with surface proteins and cholesterol.  Current drugs that induce our bodies to boost HDL concentration have negative side effects, leading some scientists to focus on mimicking HDL with synthetic nanoparticles instead. However, creating nanoparticles with the dynamic activities of HDL is a serious challenge. Scientists at Northwestern University report in an advanced issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society that they have solved some of the problems involved in creating a synthetic HDL. Their idea was to use gold nanoparticles as the inner cores. The gold nanoparticles act as a scaffold that can be given the appropriate dimensions to resemble HDL. Apolipoproteins and phospholipids, which are present in natural HDL, can then be layered onto the nanoparticles to create a surface similar to HDL. With this in mind, the researchers created synthetic HDL nanoparticles with a diameter of about 18 nm, making them similar in size to the biological ones Each nanoparticle contained between 2 and 5 apolipoproteins and 80 to 160 phospholipids; chemical composition analysis showed that this surface constitution is analogous to natural HDL. The nanoparticles are also soluble in water, suggesting they can dissolve in blood and move to and from cells. To determine how well the synthetic HDL can bind cholesterol, the scientists used a fluorescent analogue of cholesterol for their studies. When the cholesterol analogues are in water, they are weakly fluorescent; when they are bound to the synthetic HDL, their fluorescence is increased. Using the fluorescence signal as an indicator, the authors determined that in a 5 nM solution of synthetic HDL, the binding affinity to cholesterol has a dissociation constant of 3.8 nM. This is the first time that a research group has published a value in this range for a synthetic HDL—no value is known for natural HDL, so it's impossible to make comparisons. The authors' approach—creating a nanoparticle that mimics the size and functions of biological HDL—is a good starting point for further investigations. The next steps in this line of research include determining how well this synthetic HDL transports cholesterol to the liver, testing the toxicity of the nanoparticles, and finding methods of introducing them inside the body. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2009

MAL

Anacetrapib Anacetrapib (codenamed MK-0859, Merck) is a CETP inhibitor being developed to treat hypercholesterolemia (elevated cholesterol levels) and prevent cardiovascular disease. It has been in Phase I clinical trials; preliminary results appear encouraging, although long-term safety data are lacking. At the 16th International Symposium on Drugs Affecting Lipid Metabolism (New York, Oct 4-7, 2007), Merck reported on a Phase IIb study. The eight week study reported dosage correlated reduction in LDL-C and increases in HDL-C levels with no corresponding increases in blood pressure in any cohort. The increase in HDL was particularly significant, averaging 44 percent, 86 percent, 139 percent and 133 percent at doses of 10 mg, 40 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg.