Effects of Simvastatin and omega-3 fatty acids on plasma lipoproteins and lipid peroxidation in patients with combined hyperlipidaemia

Abstract

Objectives. Patients with combined hyperlipidemia are at increased risk for development of coronary heart disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and the safety of treatment with Simvastatin and omega-3 fatty acids in patients with this lipids disorder. Design. A double- blind placebo controlled, randomized study evaluating the effects of Simvastatin seprately and in combination with omega-3 fatty acids in 41 healthy patients with defined hyperlipidemia. After a 16 weeks dietary run- in period the patients were treated in periods of 5 weeks. Results. As expected Simvastatin (20 mg day1) reduced serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, apolipoproteins B and E and increased HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein. A1. Addition of omega-3 fatty acids (4 g day-1) further decreased serum tricylglycerols (P = 0.007), total cholesterol (P=0.052) and apolipoprotein E (P = 0.035). No significant changes attributable to supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the content of lipid peroxides in plasma and in the various lipoprotein fractions were observed. Conclusions. The combined treatment of Simvastatin and omega-3 fatty acids seems to be an efficient and safe alternative for patients with combined hyperlipedemia.