Modulation of chylomicron remnant metabolism by an hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that in patients with elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apolipoprotein-apoB, chylomicron remnant clearance can be modulated by therapy with a hepatic hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor. Accordingly, chylomicron triglyceride and remnant clearance were determined following a vitamin-A fat load in 12 such patients, before and after therapy with Lovastatin (Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Rahway, NJ). Such therapy had no significant overall effect on plasma triglyceride clearance, although there was a trend to lower levels of Sf greater than 400 triglycerides at the later time points. By contrast, retinol clearance in plasma and Sf greater than 400 lipoproteins was markedly increased (30% and 40%, respectively). The data indicate, therefore, that following therapy with Lovastatin in this group of patients, chylomicron plasma remnant clearance was significantly enhanced. The exact mechanisms responsible remain to be explicated.