Fifteen year mortality in Coronary Drug Project patients: long-term benefit with niacin.

The Coronary Drug Project was conducted between 1966 and 1975 to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of five lipid-influencing drugs in 8,341 men aged 30 to 64 years with electrocardiogram-documented previous myocardial infarction. The two estrogen regimens and dextrothyroxine were discontinued early because of adverse effects. No evidence of efficacy was found for the clofibrate treatment. Niacin treatment showed modest benefit in decreasing definite nonfatal recurrent myocardial infarction but did not decrease total mortality. With a mean follow-up of 15 years, nearly 9 years after termination of the trial, mortality from all causes in each of the drug groups, except for niacin, was similar to that in the placebo group. Mortality in the niacin group was 11% lower than in the placebo group (52.0 versus 58.2%; p = 0.0004). This late benefit of niacin, occurring after discontinuation of the drug, may be a result of a translation into a mortality benefit over subsequent years of the early favorable effect of niacin in decreasing nonfatal reinfarction or a result of the cholesterol-lowering effect of niacin, or both.

Hyperthyroidism due to selective pituitary resistance to thyroid hormones in a 15-month-old boy: efficacy of D-thyroxine therapy.

A 15-month-old boy had clinical features of hyperthyroidism. In spite of elevated serum thyroid hormone levels (mean serum T4, 230 nmol/L; T3, 4.2 nmol/L), serum TSH levels ranged between 3.3-5.6 mU/L and rose to 35.4 mU/L after TRH stimulation. There was no abnormal serum thyroid hormone binding or any evidence of a pituitary tumor. The boy was treated with carbimazole for 6 months and became euthyroid. However, his thyroid size enlarged, and serum TSH rose to 45 mU/L. In an attempt to suppress TSH secretion, 3,5,3'-triiodothyroacetic acid was added to carbimazole in daily doses from 0.7-1.4 mg. This combined therapy failed to suppress TSH secretion (serum TSH, 10.2 mU/L) and led to recurrence of symptoms of hyperthyroidism. A trial using highly purified dextrothyroxine (contamination by L-T4, 0.05%) as sole therapy then was carried out. Serum TSH levels promptly declined to normal, both basally and after TRH stimulation (basal, 2.4 mU/L; peak, 13.8 mU/L). During a 24-month follow-up period, the boy remained euthyroid. Serum TSH levels remained in the normal range, as did his serum L-T4 levels (93 nmol/L). Complete remission was achieved using a 5-mg daily dose of D-T4. Temporary discontinuation of D-T4 led to prompt relapse of hyperthyroidism. Our patient's TSH hypersecretion appears to be due to selective pituitary resistance to thyroid hormones. Purified D-T4 effectively inhibited TSH secretion in this patient, without inducing significant side-effects, even when the daily dose was high. The cause of partial pituitary unresponsiveness to thyroid hormones is not known. We suggest that transport of thyroid hormones into the thyrotroph cells could be deficient in our patient.

Effects of dextrothyroxine on the pituitary-thyroid axis in hypercholesterolemic children and goitrous adults.

To evaluate the effects of dextrothyroxine (D-T4) on the pituitary-thyroid axis, we have measured the secretion of TSH in response to TRH in six goitrous adults and six euthyroid children with familial hypercholesterolemia. Since the effects of thyroid hormones appear to be mediated by specific nuclear receptors, the binding affinity of D-T4 was also studied. In both groups of subjects, D-T4 completely abolished the expected TRH stimulation of TSH and T3 secretion. The in vitro binding of D-T4 to rat pituitary nuclear receptors is only 3% that of L-T3, but the binding of D-T3 was similar to that of L-T4 (13% and 11%, respectively). The high circulating levels of D-T4 and possibly of D-T3 after chronic administration of D-T4 may be responsible for the saturation of pituitary nuclear T3 receptors, resulting in the suppression of the TRH-induced TSH response. During the treatment period, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly decreased by 18%, 18%, and 19%, respectively. Plasma triglyceride levels and the ratio of total to high density lipoprotein cholesterol were not affected. Although D-T4 lowers cholesterol levels, in view of its suppressive effect on the pituitary-thyroid axis, caution must be exercised with regard to its long term use in children.

L-thyroxine contamination of pharmaceutical D-thyroxine: probable cause of therapeutic effect.

Studies have shown that pharmaceutic preparations of the stereo isomers of thyroxine differ with respect to thyromimetic potency and lipid level-lowering effects. We applied a stereospecific assay for dextrothyroxine (DT4) and levothyroxine (LT4) to determine whether the biologic effects observed after the administration of DT4 (Choloxin; Flint Laboratories) resulted from inherent biologic activity of DT4, conversion of DT4 to LT4 in vivo, or LT4 contamination of Choloxin tablets. Choloxin was administered in a dose of 8 mg/day for 5 mo to nine athyreotic subjects who were then treated with pharmaceutic LT4 (Synthroid), 0.2 mg/day for an additional 5 mo. Analysis showed that LT4 contamination of Choloxin tablets ranged from 0.50% to 2.30%. This degree of contamination resulted in physiologically significant doses of LT4 in the 8 mg/day doses of Choloxin. During the treatment with two different lots of Choloxin, serum LT4 accounted for 33% to 53% of the measurable serum total thyroxine. The degree of LT4 contamination in Choloxin tablets was sufficient to account for the observed serum LT4 levels and casts doubt on the conclusions derived from previous studies in which Choloxin was used as the source of "DT4."

Lipid changes in atherosclerotic aortas of Macaca fascicularis after various regression regimens.

plasma and aortic tissue lipid changes in atherosclerotic Macaca fascicularis monkeys were studied following various regression regimens for 18 months. Atherosclerosis was induced in groups of 18 Macaca fascicularis monkeys by feeding a semipurified diet containing 43% of the calories as fat and 1.2 mg/kcal cholesterol for 6 months. Five groups of animals were continued on the same diet containing 0.34 mg/kcal cholesterol during the regression period, and were given the following hypocholesterolemic regimens: none (positive controls); D-thyroxine; pyrimidine derivative; cholestyramine; and alfalfa. Another group of animals was maintained on regular monkey chow alone during the regression period (negative control). Among the hypocholesterolemic agents, cholestyramine very effectively reduced the plasma cholesterol, and aorta free- and esterified cholesterol and phospholipids. D-Thyroxine significantly lowered the plasma cholesterol levels but, surprisingly, tissue lipid levels were the highest among the groups studied. Alfalfa, although not as effective as cholestyramine, tended to reduce the plasma and tissue lipids more than other drugs. Pyrimidine derivative actually increased the mean levels of plasma and tissue cholesterol. Plasma cholesterol correlated positively with aortic tissue cholesterol, free and esterified cholesterol. Both the plasma percentage distribution of alpha-lipoprotein and the phospholipid/cholesterol ratio were inversely related to all tissues lipids. Plasma cholesterol accounted for 43% and 30% respectively of the variability in tissue total and esterified cholesterol. Thus the effectiveness of any hypocholesterolemic regimen is probably dependent on achieving a favorable lipoprotein distribution in plasma without any adverse effect on the arterial wall metabolism.

Treatment of established atherosclerosis during cholesterol feeding in monkeys.

A semipurified diet containing 43% of the calories as fat and 1.2 mg of cholesterol/cal was fed to cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) for 6 months; the cholesterol content was reduced to 0.34 mg/cal for the next 18 months. During the latter period, the monkeys were assigned to 4 groups of 18 animals each and received the following dietary additions: A, none (controls); B, cholestyramine (5%, w/w); C, dextrothyroxine (0.003%); and D, Wy-14,643 (0.45%). Cholestyramine normalized plasma lipid levels and reduced the size of aortic and coronary atherosclerotic lesions in spite of the high-fat, high-cholesterol intake. Dextrothyroxine reduced cholesterolemia but did not modify the extent of arterial lesions. Wy-14,643 changed neither plasma cholesterol levels nor the extent of atherosclerosis.

Effects of dextrothyroxine on hyperlipidemia and experimental atherosclerosis in beagle dogs.

Beagle dogs, 24 +/- 6 months old, fed a thiouracil-free semi-synthetic diet containing hydrogenated coconut oil and cholesterol (SS diet) for 12 months, developed marked hyperlipidemia and severe atherosclerosis. SS diet produced a marked elevation of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, and beta-lipoprotein and severe atherosclerosis in large and small arteries. Intimal fatty lesions were always present in the abdominal aorta and many of its branches. Large and small coronary arteries showed similar lesions. The degree of atherosclerosis was directly related to circulating lipid levels. Dextrothyroxine, at dose levels of 0.1 (equivalent to normal human dose) and 0.5 mg/kg body weight, produced a significant dose related lowering of serum lipids and was associated with a markedly decreased severity of aortic and coronary artery lesions. Untreated control dogs that were maintained on purina dog meal developed neither hyperlipidemia nor atherosclerosis.

Pharmacologic therapy for the hyperlipidemic patient.

Drug therapy should be instituted only after appropriate diet treatment has been started and adequate baseline lipid and lipoprotein values are established. Nicotinic acid is useful in treating most lipoprotein disorders and the cutaneous flushing that develops during the early part of treatment is usually alleviated by aspirin. Cholestyramine and colestipol are nonabsorbable resins whose use is limited to type II hyperlipoproteinemia. Clofibrate is primarily effective in lowering triglyceride levels, but its clinical use has considerably declined following the World Health Organization study results that reported increased morbidity and mortality rates among patients receiving this drug. Based on the finding of increased mortality among a subset of patients participating in the Coronary Drug Project, dextrothyroxine is only recommended for treating patients who do not have clinically evident atherosclerotic heart disease. Probucol lowers total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but has the undesirable effect of simultaneously reducing high-density lipoprotein levels.

Drug treatment of hyperlipidemia.

The most frequent indication for treatment of hyperlipidemia is for prevention of arteriosclerosis, a suspected but unproved benefit. The cornerstone of treatment of primary hyperlipidemia is diet; drugs may be added to, but do not replace, diet. When a drug is used with any patient, its potential benefits and hazards must be carefully weighed for the given subject. The subjects should be carefully followed and observed for side effects. Plasma lipids should be monitored during the course of treatment. Five drugs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of hyperlipidemia: cholestyramine, clofibrate, nicotinic acid, sodium dextrothyroxine and beta-sitosterol. The use, the actions and the side effects of each and of several nonapproved agents are discussed.

Comparison of effectiveness of thyrotropin-suppressive doses of D- and L-thyroxine in treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

In an attempt to compare the cholesterol-lowering effects of equivalent doses of D- and L-thyroxine, 10 euthyroid, hypercholesterolemic subjects were treated with graded doses of each medication in a cross-over design using thyrotropin suppression following thyrotropin-releasing hormone administration as the end-point. The mean thyrotropin-suppressive dose of D-thyroxine was 2.4 +/- 0.66 mg per day, which resulted in mean reductions of 10 percent in total plasma cholesterol, 10 percent in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 11 percent in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The mean thyrotropin-suppressive dose of L-thyroxine was 135 +/- 46 micrograms per day, which resulted in mean reductions of 7 percent in total plasma cholesterol, 6 percent in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 14 percent in plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The reductions in total, low-density, and high-density cholesterol achieved with D-thyroxine were not significantly different from those achieved with L-thyroxine. Neither medication produced a significant increase in heart rate or ventricular ectopy as determined by Holter monitoring. These data do not support the belief that D-thyroxine has a preferential cholesterol-lowering effect in humans when compared with equivalent doses of L-thyroxine. In addition, both D- and L-thyroxine reduced plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Primary prevention of coronary heart disease: a critique.

The question is whether alteration of risk factors will aid primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Critical review of available evidence indicates that inferences have been made about the beneficial effects of risk factor modification without an adequate test of the hypothesis. Trial interventions to assess the efficacy of serum cholesterol-lowering measures have had negative or equivocal results. It remains to be seen whether the findings of clinical trials on hypertension can be applied toward primary prevention of coronary heart disease in the community. The cigarette smoking habit seems to be unique among coronary heart disease risk factors. The evidence appears sufficient to justify serious consideration of a strategy of preventing the smoking habit now, persuading patients to stop and encouraging teenagers not to start.

TSH response to TRH in euthyroid, hypercholesterolemic patients treated with graded doses of dextrothyroxine.

In an attempt to determine the minimum dose of D-Thyroxine (D-T4) which will suppress pituitary TSH response to TRH, we have treated 6 euthyroid, hypercholesterolemic patients with graded doses of D-T4. TSH response was suppressed in 3 patients with 3 mg and in the remaining 3 patients with 4 mg D-T4 administered once daily. The mean TSH suppressive dose of 3.5 mg, as determined in this study, is considerably less than the 6 mg daily dose given to patients treated with D-T4 in the Coronary Drug Project. This suggests that the adverse effects observed with D-T4 treatment in the Coronary Drug Project may have been due to mild, undetected hyperthryroidism. D-T4 treatment in our patients was not associated with an increase in heart rate or ventricular ectopic beats as determined by Holter monitoring. However, bile samples obtained at the time of TSH suppression showed a significant increase in lithogenic index. In four patients, TSH suppressive doses of D-T4 were associated with a 12% decrease in mean cholesterol and a 17% decrease in mean LDL cholesterol concentrations.

A novel resistance to thyroid hormone associated with a new mutation (T329N) in the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene.

Resistance to thyroid hormone (RTH) is a syndrome of elevated serum thyroxine, inappropriately "normal" serum thyrotropin (TSH) and reduced thyroid hormone responsiveness associated with point mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor-beta (TRbeta) gene. We describe a novel point mutation resulting in a cytosine for adenine substitution at nucleotide 1271 (exon 9) that results in the substitution of threonine for asparagine (T329N). This mutation was identified in a 30-year-old woman who was investigated for recurrent spontaneous abortions and was found to have RTH. Dextrothyroxine (D-T4) therapy was instituted. At 8 mg per day 2 pregnancies followed with the delivery of a healthy boy and an RTH-affected girl another miscarriage occurred on D-T4 treatment at 6 mg per day. The T329N mutation, which was also identified in the daughter, markedly reduces the affinity of TRbeta for triiodothyronine (T3). Formation of T329N mutant TR homodimers and heterodimers with RXRalpha on thyroid hormone response element F2 (TRE F2) was not affected, but the ability of T3 to interrupt T329N mutant TRbeta homodimerization was markedly reduced. The T329N mutant TRbeta was transcriptionally inactive in transient expression assays. In cotransfection assays with wild-type TRbeta1, the mutant TRbeta1 functioned in a dominant negative manner. The results suggest that the T329N mutation in the T3-binding domain of TRbeta is responsible for RTH in the proposita's family.

Dextrothyroxine in the treatment of generalized thyroid hormone resistance in a boy homozygous for a defect in the T3 receptor.

The dextroisomer of thyroxine (D-T4) has been shown to have suppressive effects on pituitary TSH secretion in euthyroid individuals and patients with mild thyroid hormone resistance. We treated a 3-year-old boy with D-T4 who was homozygous for a T3 receptor defect, resulting in a complex clinical picture of tissue-specific hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. There was no evidence of significant alteration in thyroid physiology, including serum concentrations of basal and TRH stimulated TSH or echocardiographic parameters measuring systolic time interval. We conclude that D-T4 at a daily dose of 6 mg (0.65 mg/kg) was ineffective in this boy with homozygous dominant negative thyroid hormone resistance.

[Current dietetic and pharmacological treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia]. / Trattamento attuale dietetico e farmacologico nelle iperlipoproteinemie

Secondary hyperlipoproteinaemia necessitates direct management of the main disease (hypothyroidism, nephrosis, etc.), whereas primary forms are essentially handled by dietary regimens adapted to subject types, as classified by Fredrickson-Levy-Lees and adopted by the WHO. These regimens are described and discussed schematically. Drugs may be employed if diet proves ineffectual. Anionic exchange resins, d-thyroxine, clofibrate and nicotinic acid have been shown effective for this purpose. Their mechanisms, doses and side-effects are described. The criteria governing their selection are explained in the light of the recent literature and with reference to the six phenotypes proposed by Fredrickson-Levy-Lees.

Thyroid Hormone Resistance in children.

Thyroid Hormone Resistance (RTH) is characterized by the diminished response of thyroid hormone-responsive tissues in varying degrees in association with elevated serum levels of total and free T4 and T3 and inappropriately normal or elevated TSH levels. In almost all cases it is due to different mutations in only one allele of the thyroid hormone receptor beta gene which blocks the action of normal allele thus producing dominantly inherited RTH. In RTH, varying degrees of target tissue responsiveness result in a heterogenous clinical presentation. Resistance in the thyrotrophs and the peripheral tissues is assessed by the evaluation of TSH secretion and changes in peripheral markers of thyroid hormone action after administration of L-T3, respectively. The treatment decision depends on the individual characteristics of each patient. Patients with hypothyroid and hyperthyroid symptoms may require treatment with thyroid hormone and with agents such as beta blockers, antithyroid drugs and thyroid hormone analogues.