Monotherapy with either fibrates or statins suggested a significantly greater effect of fibrates in lowering plasma Fib concentrations .
According to these findings , mechanisms associated with fibrinogen metabolism might be responsible for the distinct effects of statins and fibrates in reducing cardiovascular endpoints
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest differences between fibrates and statins in lowering plasma fibrinogen ( Fib ) concentrations , but the evidence is not definitive .
Therefore , the aim of this meta- analysis of head-to-head r and omized trials was to compare the efficacy of statins and fibrates on plasma Fib concentrations .
The beneficial effects of lipid-lowering drugs beyond lipid-lowering effects: a comparative study with pravastatin, atorvastatin, and fenofibrate in patients with type IIa and type IIb hyperlipidemia.
Hyperlipidemia is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis . Hemorheological factors contribute to morbidity and mortality in patients with dyslipidemia . We evaluated the effects of 3 antihyperlipidemic drugs ( pravastatin , atorvastatin , and fenofibrate ) , which have different mechanisms of action and different patterns of action on lipid profiles , on erythrocyte deformability and fibrinogen levels in patients with type IIa and type IIb hyperlipidemia . Twenty-one patients ( 4 men and 17 women ) with type IIa and IIb hyperlipidemia were r and omized to 3 drugs ( pravastatin 20 mg/d , atorvastatin 10 mg/d , fenofibrate 250 mg/d ) for 8 weeks . Plasma glucose , total cholesterol , triglyceride , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( HDL-C ) , and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) analysis were performed on a BM-Hitachi 747 - 200 autoanalyzer ( Hitachi-Roche , Tokyo , Japan ) . Fibrinogen analysis was performed according to Clauss method . Erythrocyte deformability was assessed with cell transit analysis device . There was no significant difference in body mass index , lipid profile , fibrinogen level , and erythrocyte deformability index values among the groups before treatment ( P > .05 ) . In all groups , there were statistically significant reductions in total LDL-C levels ( P < .05 ) . The triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in the atorvastatin and fenofibrate groups ( P < .05 ) , but not in the pravastatin group ( P > .05 ) . There was no significant change in HDL-C levels during the treatment with statins ( P > .05 ) , but there was a significant increase in the fenofibrate group ( P < .05 ) . Mean erythrocyte deformability index was improved in all the groups ( P < .05 ) . There was no significant change in fibrinogen levels during the treatment of pravastatin and atorvastatin ( P > .05 ) , but in fenofibrate group , fibrinogen levels were significantly decreased ( P < .05 ) . The 3 groups of antihyperlipidemic drugs have beneficial effects on the erythrocyte deformability index . Only fenofibrate has significant beneficial effects on the fibrinogen levels
Monotherapy with either fibrates or statins suggested a significantly greater effect of fibrates in lowering plasma Fib concentrations .
According to these findings , mechanisms associated with fibrinogen metabolism might be responsible for the distinct effects of statins and fibrates in reducing cardiovascular endpoints
BACKGROUND Several studies suggest differences between fibrates and statins in lowering plasma fibrinogen ( Fib ) concentrations , but the evidence is not definitive .
Therefore , the aim of this meta- analysis of head-to-head r and omized trials was to compare the efficacy of statins and fibrates on plasma Fib concentrations .