NO activity in familial combined hyperlipidemia: Potential role of cholesterol remnants

Abstract

Objective: Patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH) have an increased cardiovascular mortality despite only moderate elevations of LDL- cholesterol. Since endothelial NO release is intimately involved in the anti- atherosclerotic effects of the endothelium, we studied the effect of short- term lipid-lowering therapy on NO-mediated vasodilatation in patients with FCH. In view of only moderate LDL elevations, we evaluated whether alterations in other lipid fractions upon therapy correlated to changes in NO-mediated vasodilatation. Methods: NO activity was assessed by serotonin- induced, nitric oxide-mediated increase in forearm blood flow (FBF). Measurements were performed 2 weeks off and 4 weeks on lipid-lowering therapy in 12 FCH patients using forearm venous occlusion plethysmography. Control experiments were performed in 12 healthy subjects. Results: Serotonin- induced vasodilatation was impaired in FCH patients (FBF (unit ml/100 ml forearm tissue/min) from 3.0 (0.3) to 4.8 (0.4)) compared to controls (FBF from 2.9 (0.3) to 6.5 (0.6); p < 0.05 vs. FCH). FBF response to serotonin improved significantly upon lipid-lowering therapy (from 3.0 (0.3) to 5.7 (0.5); p < 0.05 treated vs. untreated). The level of improvement in endothelial function was significantly correlated to the absolute reduction of intermediate density lipoproteins upon lipid-lowering therapy (r = - 0.64; p < 0.05), whereas it did not correlate to changes in VLDL- or LDL- cholesterol, nor to Lp(a). Conclusion: Patients with familial combined hyperlipidemia have impaired NO-mediated vasodilatation, that responds rapidly to lipid lowering medication, and may be related to changes in intermediate density lipoproteins.