l -Carnitine/Simvastatin Reduces Lipoprotein (a) Levels Compared with Simvastatin Monotherapy: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

AbstractLipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. There are currently limited therapeutic options to lower Lp(a) levels.l-Carnitine has been reported to reduce Lp(a) levels. The aim of this study was to compare the effect ofl-carnitine/simvastatin co-administration with that of simvastatin monotherapy on Lp(a) levels in subjects with mixed hyperlipidemia and elevated Lp(a) concentration. Subjects with levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)  >160  mg/dL, triacylglycerol (TAG) >150  mg/dL and Lp(a) >20  mg/dL were included in this study. Subjects were randomly allocated to receivel-carnitine 2  g/day plus simvastatin 20 mg/day (N = 29) or placebo plus simvastatin 20 mg/day (N = 29) for a total of 12 weeks. Lp(a) was significantly reduced in thel-carnitine/simvastatin group [ −19.4%, from 52 (20–171) to 42 (15–102) mg/dL;p = 0.01], but not in the placebo/simvastatin group [−6.7%, from 56 (26–108) to 52 (27–93) mg/dL,p = NS versus baseline andp = 0.016 for the comparison between groups]. Similar significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL-C, apolipoprotein (apo) B and TAG were observed in both groups. Co-administration ofl-carnitine with simvastatin was associated with a significant, albeit modest, reduction in Lp(a) compared with simvastatin monotherapy in subjects with mixed hyperlipidemia and elevated baseline Lp(a) levels.
Source: Lipids - Category: Lipidology Source Type: research