CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy is associated with an enhanced TNF-α-lowering effect  compared with statin monotherapy .
AIMS Statins are known to influence the status of adipokines , which play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases .
As the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statin therapy on the impact of statins on plasma adipokines levels is currently unclear , the aim of the present study was to investigate this through a meta- analysis of controlled trials .
Effects of Combination of Ezetimibe and Rosuvastatin on Coronary Artery Plaque in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease.
BACKGROUND In approximately 80 % of cardiovascular disease-related deaths , patients suffer from coronary atherosclerotic heart disease . Ezetimibe is the first intestinal cholesterol absorption inhibitor . Its combination with statins for treating coronary atherosclerotic heart disease has attracted attention worldwide . METHODS The study group comprised 106 patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and hyperlipidaemia . Each was r and omly assigned to one of two groups : ( 1 ) Ezetimibe ( 10 mg , once a night ) plus rosuvastatin ( 10 mg , once a night ) ( n=55 ) or ( 2 ) Rosuvastatin alone ( 10 mg , once a night ) ( n=51 ) . The primary endpoint was new or recurrent myocardial infa rct ion , unstable angina pectoris , cardiac death , and stroke . Blood lipid , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , and matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9 ) levels were measured before treatment and at one , six and 12 months after treatment . Coronary plaque size and compositional changes were determined using intravascular ultrasonography . RESULTS The combination of ezetimibe plus rosuvastatin decreased total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , hsCRP , IL-6 , and MMP-9 levels at six and 12 months after treatment . Statistical significance was detected between two groups . At 12 months , the plaque burden , plaque cross-sectional area , and percentage of necrotic plaque composition were significantly lower in the combination group than in rosuvastatin alone group ( P<0.05 ) . And compared with rosuvastatin alone group , the primary endpoint decreased more effectively in combination group . CONCLUSIONS The combination of ezetimibe and rosuvastatin apparently diminishes lipid levels and plaque burden and improves plaque stability , which may be associated with the potent inhibitory effects of ezetimibe and rosuvastatin on inflammatory cytokines
CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that ezetimibe add-on to statin therapy is associated with an enhanced TNF-α-lowering effect  compared with statin monotherapy .
AIMS Statins are known to influence the status of adipokines , which play a key role in the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases .
As the effect of ezetimibe as an add-on to statin therapy on the impact of statins on plasma adipokines levels is currently unclear , the aim of the present study was to investigate this through a meta- analysis of controlled trials .