RESUMO
Little is known about qualitative abnormalities of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We studied distribution and composition of HDL subclasses in 30 premenopausal women with uncomplicated SLE, and 18 controls matched for age and sex. Plasma and HDL lipids were determined by colorimetric enzymatic assays, HDL size distribution by native gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and apolipoproteins in HDL by sodium dodecyl sulphate denaturing PAGE. Compared with controls, SLE patients had significantly lower proportions of HDL(2b) (-14.7%) and higher proportions of HDL(3b) (+8.8%) and HDL(3c) (+23.3%). Cholesteryl ester (-18%) and apolipoprotein AI (-9%) were lower, whereas triglycerides (+32%) and apolipoprotein E (+27%) were higher in SLE HDL (P < 0.05; for all). In the whole population, stepwise regression analysis showed that only insulin concentrations (R(2) = 0.327) and plasma total apo AI (R(2) = 0.114) accounted independently to the variance in HDL size. This study shows that HDL distribution and composition are abnormal in non-complicated SLE patients. These HDL abnormalities have been reported to be associated to impaired atheroprotective properties of HDL and prevalence of coronary heart disease. Therefore, they may contribute to the premature atherosclerosis observed in young women with SLE.
Assuntos
Lipoproteínas HDL/sangue , Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico/sangue , Adulto , Feminino , HumanosRESUMO
Hyperlipidemia is common in type 2 diabetic patients and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-daily atorvastatin 10-80 mg for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in type 2 diabetics with plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels exceeding 3.4 mmol/l (130 mg/dl). One hundred and two patients met the study criteria and received 10 mg/day atorvastatin. Patients who reached the target LDL-C level of =2.6 mmol/l (100 mg/dl) maintained the same dosage regimen until they had completed 16 weeks of treatment. Patients not reaching the target LDL-C underwent dose titration to atorvastatin 20, 40 and 80 mg/day at Weeks 4, 8 and 12, respectively. All 88 patients who completed the study attained target LDL-C levels and 52 (59%) of patients achieved the target goal at the starting dose of atorvastatin 10 mg/day. In this group the differences between baseline and post-treatment values for LDL-C were 4.3+/-0.7 mmol/l (166+/-26 mg/dl) versus 2. 2+/-0.4 mmol/l (87+/-14 mg/dl) (P<0.0001), respectively, a decrease of 47%. Similar trends were observed for total cholesterol, triglycerides, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and apolipoprotein B levels. The safety profile of atorvastatin in these patients was highly favorable and similar to those reported with other statins. Only one patient withdrew due to a possible drug-related adverse event. These data confirm the marked efficacy and safety of atorvastatin in type 2 diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia and the efficacy of atorvastatin 10 mg in helping patients attain their LDL-C goal.